NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Methanol

Methanol, also known as methyl alcohol, carbinol, wood alcohol, wood naphtha or wood spirits, is a chemical compound with chemical formula C H₃OH (often abbreviated MeOH). It is the simplest alcohol, and is a light, volatile, colourless, flammable, poisonous liquid with a distinctive odor that is somewhat milder and sweeter than ethanol (ethyl alcohol). At room temperature it is a polar liquid and is used as an antifreeze, solvent, fuel, and as a denaturant for ethyl alcohol. It is also used for producing biodiesel via transesterification reaction. Solubility is a chemical property referring to the ability for a given substance, the solute, to dissolve in a solvent. ... Impact from a water drop causes an upward rebound jet surrounded by circular capillary waves. ... The chemistry term miscible refers to the property of various liquids that allows them to be mixed together. ... The acid dissociation constant (Ka), also known as the acidity constant or the acid-ionization constant, is a specific equilibrium constant for the reaction of an acid with its conjugate base in aqueous solution [1]. // When an acid dissolves in water, it partly dissociates forming hydronium ions and its conjugate... For other uses, see Viscosity (disambiguation). ... The pascal second (symbol PaÂ·s) is the SI unit of dynamic viscosity. ... The Earths magnetic field, which is approximately a dipole. ... The debye (symbol: D) is a non-SI and non-CGS unit of electrical dipole moment. ... An example MSDS in a US format provides guidance for handling a hazardous substance and information on its composition and properties. ... This page provides supplementary chemical data on methanol. ... Council Directive 67/548/EEC of 27 June 1967 on the approximation of laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous substances (as amended) is the main European Union law concerning chemical safety. ... NFPA 704 is a standard maintained by the U.S. National Fire Protection Association. ... Image File history File links NFPA_704. ... R-phrases are defined in Annex III of European Union Directive 67/548/EEC: Nature of special risks attributed to dangerous substances and preparations. ... S-phrases are defined in Annex IV of European Union Directive 67/548/EEC: Safety advice concerning dangerous substances and preparations. ... For other uses, see Flash point (disambiguation). ... In general usage, alcohol (from Arabic al-khwl الكحول, or al-ghawl الغول) refers almost always to ethanol, also known as grain alcohol, and often to any beverage that contains ethanol (see alcoholic beverage). ... Grain alcohol redirects here. ... Butanol or butyl alcohol (sometimes also called biobutanol when produced biologically), is an alcohol with a 4 carbon structure and the molecular formula of C4H10O. It is primarily used as a solvent, as an intermediate in chemical synthesis, and as a fuel. ... R-phrases , , S-phrases , , Flash point -46 Â°C Autoignition temperature 625 Â°C Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 Â°C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references Chloromethane, also called Methyl chloride, or simply R-40 or HCC 40, is a chemical compound... Dimethyl ether, also known as methoxymethane, methyl ether, wood ether, and DME, is a colorless gaseous ether with with an ethereal smell. ... This page provides supplementary chemical data on methanol. ... This page provides supplementary chemical data on methanol. ... The refractive index (or index of refraction) of a medium is a measure for how much the speed of light (or other waves such as sound waves) is reduced inside the medium. ... The relative dielectric constant of a material under given conditions is a measure of the extent to which it concentrates electrostatic lines of flux. ... This page provides supplementary chemical data on methanol. ... This page provides supplementary chemical data on methanol. ... Ultraviolet-Visible Spectroscopy or Ultraviolet-Visible Spectrophotometry (UV/ VIS) involves the spectroscopy of photons (spectrophotometry). ... Infrared spectroscopy (IR spectroscopy) is the subset of spectroscopy that deals with the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. ... Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy most commonly known as NMR spectroscopy is the name given to the technique which exploits the magnetic properties of certain nuclei. ... Mass spectrometry (previously called mass spectroscopy (deprecated) or informally, mass-spec and MS) is an analytical technique that measures the mass-to-charge ratio of ions. ... The plimsoll symbol as used in shipping In chemistry, the standard state of a material is its state at 1 bar (100 kilopascals exactly). ... Look up chemical compound in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... A chemical formula is a concise way of expressing information about the atoms that constitute a particular chemical compound. ... For other uses, see Carbon (disambiguation). ... This article is about the chemistry of hydrogen. ... Hydroxide is a polyatomic ion consisting of oxygen and hydrogen: OHâˆ’ It has a charge of âˆ’1. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The ability of a liquid to evaporate quickly and at relatively low temperatures. ... Color is an important part of the visual arts. ... Flammable or Flammability refers to the ease at which a substance will ignite, causing fire or combustion. ... For other uses, see Poison (disambiguation). ... Grain alcohol redirects here. ... Ethyl alcohol, also known as ethanol or grain alcohol, is a flammable, colorless chemical compound, one of the alcohols that is most often found in alcoholic beverages. ... For other uses, see Solvent (disambiguation). ... Antifreeze is a water-based liquid coolant used in gasoline and diesel engines. ... For other uses, see Solvent (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Fuel (disambiguation). ... Denatured alcohol is ethanol with added adulterants that make it useless for consumption as an intoxicating beverage by rendering it toxic or extremely distasteful to drink, but still useful for industrial processes or as a household chemical. ... Ethyl alcohol, also known as ethanol or grain alcohol, is a flammable, colorless chemical compound, one of the alcohols that is most often found in alcoholic beverages. ... This article is about transesterified plant and animal oils. ... In organic chemistry, transesterification is the process of exchanging the alkoxy group of an ester compound by another alcohol. ...

Methanol is produced naturally in the anaerobic metabolism of many varieties of bacteria. As a result, there is a small fraction of methanol vapor in the atmosphere. Over the course of several days, atmospheric methanol is oxidized by oxygen with the help of sunlight to carbon dioxide and water. Aerobic and anaerobic bacteria can be identified by growning them in liquid culture: 1: Obligate aerobic bacteria gather at the top of the test tube in order to absorb maximal amount of oxygen. ... Structure of the coenzyme adenosine triphosphate, a central intermediate in energy metabolism. ...

Methanol burns in air forming carbon dioxide and water: Carbon dioxide is a chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom. ... Impact from a water drop causes an upward rebound jet surrounded by circular capillary waves. ...

A methanol flame is almost colorless, causing an additional safety hazard around open methanol flames.

Because of its poisonous properties, methanol is frequently used as a denaturant additive for ethanol manufactured for industrial uses— this addition of a poison economically exempts industrial ethanol from the rather significant 'liquor' taxes that would otherwise be levied as it is the essence of all potable alcoholic beverages. Methanol is often called wood alcohol because it was once produced chiefly as a byproduct of the destructive distillation of wood. It is now produced synthetically by a multi-step process: natural gas and steam are reformed in a furnace to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide; then, hydrogen and carbon monoxide gases react under pressure in the presence of a catalyst. For other uses, see Poison (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Natural gas (disambiguation). ...

An entire methanol economy, based on methanol as a primary energy-storage medium and fuel, has been seriously proposed. The methanol economy is a hypothetical future economy in which methanol has replaced fossil fuels as a means of transportation of energy. ...

History

In their embalming process, the ancient Egyptians used a mixture of substances, including methanol, which they obtained from the pyrolysis of wood. Pure methanol, however, was first isolated in 1661 by Robert Boyle, who called it spirit of box, because he produced it via the distillation of boxwood. It later became known as pyroxylic spirit. In 1834, the French chemists Jean-Baptiste Dumas and Eugene Peligot determined its elemental composition. They also introduced the word methylene to organic chemistry, forming it from Greek methy = "wine" + hŷlē = wood (patch of trees). Its intended origin was "alcohol made from wood (substance)," but it has Greek language errors. The term "methyl" was derived in about 1840 by back-formation from methylene, and was then applied to describe "methyl alcohol." This was shortened to "methanol" in 1892 by the International Conference on Chemical Nomenclature. The suffix -yl used in organic chemistry to form names of radicals, was extracted from the word "methyl." Embalming, in most modern cultures, is the art and science of temporarily preserving human remains to forestall decomposition and to make them suitable for display at a funeral. ... Map of Ancient Egypt Ancient Egypt was the civilization of the Nile Valley between about 3000 BC and the conquest of Egypt by Alexander the Great in 332 BC. As a civilization based on irrigation it is the quintessential example of an hydraulic empire. ... Simple sketch of pyrolysis chemistry Pyrolysis usually means the chemical decomposition of organic materials by heating in the absence of oxygen or any other reagents, except possibly steam. ... Robert Boyle (Irish: Robaird Ã“ Bhaoill) (25 January 1627 â€“ 30 December 1691) was an Irish natural philosopher, chemist, physicist, inventor, and early gentleman scientist, noted for his work in physics and chemistry. ... This article is about the box tree. ... Jean Baptiste AndrÃ© Dumas Jean Baptiste AndrÃ© Dumas (July 14, 1800 - April 10, 1884), French chemist, best known for his works on organic analysis and synthesis, as well as the determination of atomic weights (relative atomic masses) by measuring vapor densities. ... For other uses, see Wine (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Wood (disambiguation). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... For other uses, see Wood (disambiguation). ... In etymology, the process of back-formation is the creation of a neologism by reinterpreting an earlier word as a compound and removing the spuriously supposed affixes. ... A suffix is an affix that follows the morphemes to which it can attach. ... The suffix -yl is used in organic chemistry to form names of radicals. ... Organic chemistry is a specific discipline within chemistry which involves the scientific study of the structure, properties, composition, reactions, and preparation (by synthesis or by other means) of chemical compounds consisting primarily of carbon and hydrogen, which may contain any number of other elements, including nitrogen, oxygen, the halogens as... In chemistry, radicals (often referred to as free radicals) are atomic or molecular species with unpaired electrons on an otherwise open shell configuration. ...

In 1923, the German chemists Matthias and Pier, working for BASF developed a means to convert synthesis gas (a mixture of carbon oxides and hydrogen) into methanol. A patent was filed Jan 12 1926 (reference no. 1,569,775). This process used a chromium and manganese oxid catalyst, and required extremely vigorous conditions—pressures ranging from 50 to 220 atm), and temperatures up to 450 °C. Modern methanol production has been made more efficient through use of catalysts (commonly copper) capable of operating at lower pressures. This article is about the German chemical company. ... It has been suggested that Town gas be merged into this article or section. ... Carbon monoxide, chemical formula CO, is a colourless, odourless, flammable and highly toxic gas. ... This article is about the chemistry of hydrogen. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Catalysis. ... Standard atmosphere (symbol: atm) is a unit of pressure. ... For other uses, see Celsius (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Copper (disambiguation). ...

The use of methanol as a motor fuel received attention during the oil crises of the 1970s due to its availability and low cost. Problems occurred early in the development of gasoline-methanol blends. As a result of its low price, some gasoline marketers over-blended. Others used improper blending and handling techniques.

In 2006 astronomers using the MERLIN array of radio telescopes at Jodrell Bank Observatory discovered a large cloud of methanol in space, 300 billion miles across. For other uses, see Merlin (disambiguation). ... The 76m Lovell Telescope at Jodrell Bank Observatory. ...

Production

Today, synthesis gas is most commonly produced from the methane component in natural gas rather than from coal. Three processes are commercially practiced. At moderate pressures of 1 to 2 MPa (10–20 atm) and high temperatures (around 850 °C), methane reacts with steam on a nickel catalyst to produce syngas according to the chemical equation: Methane is a chemical compound with the molecular formula . ... For other uses, see Natural gas (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Chemical reaction (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Steam (disambiguation). ... It has been suggested that Town gas be merged into this article or section. ... A chemical equation is a symbolic representation of a chemical reaction. ...

This reaction, commonly called steam-methane reforming or SMR, is endothermic and the heat transfer limitations place limits on the size of and pressure in the catalytic reactors used. Methane can also undergo partial oxidation with molecular oxygen to produce syngas, as the following equation shows: Methane is a chemical compound with the molecular formula . ... Impact from a water drop causes an upward rebound jet surrounded by circular capillary waves. ... R-phrases , , , , S-phrases , , , , Flash point Flammable gas Related Compounds Related oxides carbon dioxide; carbon suboxide; dicarbon monoxide; carbon trioxide Supplementary data page Structure and properties n, Îµr, etc. ... This article is about the chemistry of hydrogen. ... This article is about the physical effect. ...

this reaction is exothermic and the heat given off can be used in-situ to drive the steam-methane reforming reaction. When the two processes are combined, it is referred to as autothermal reforming. The ratio of CO and H₂ can be adjusted to some extent by the water-gas shift reaction, Methane is a chemical compound with the molecular formula . ... This article is about the chemical element and its most stable form, or dioxygen. ... R-phrases , , , , S-phrases , , , , Flash point Flammable gas Related Compounds Related oxides carbon dioxide; carbon suboxide; dicarbon monoxide; carbon trioxide Supplementary data page Structure and properties n, Îµr, etc. ... This article is about the chemistry of hydrogen. ... In thermodynamics, the word exothermic describes a process or reaction that releases energy in the form of heat. ...

to provide the appropriate stoichiometry for methanol synthesis. R-phrases , , , , S-phrases , , , , Flash point Flammable gas Related Compounds Related oxides carbon dioxide; carbon suboxide; dicarbon monoxide; carbon trioxide Supplementary data page Structure and properties n, Îµr, etc. ... Impact from a water drop causes an upward rebound jet surrounded by circular capillary waves. ... Carbon dioxide is a chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom. ... This article is about the chemistry of hydrogen. ...

The carbon monoxide and hydrogen then react on a second catalyst to produce methanol. Today, the most widely used catalyst is a mixture of copper, zinc oxide, and alumina first used by ICI in 1966. At 5–10 MPa (50–100 atm) and 250 °C, it can catalyze the production of methanol from carbon monoxide and hydrogen with high selectivity For other uses, see Copper (disambiguation). ... Zinc oxide is a chemical compound with formula ZnO. It is nearly insoluble in water but soluble in acids or alkalis. ... Aluminium oxide (or aluminum oxide) (Al2O3) is a chemical compound of aluminium and oxygen. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

It is worth noting that the production of synthesis gas from methane produces 3 moles of hydrogen for every mole of carbon monoxide, while the methanol synthesis consumes only 2 moles of hydrogen for every mole of carbon monoxide. One way of dealing with the excess hydrogen is to inject carbon dioxide into the methanol synthesis reactor, where it, too, reacts to form methanol according to the chemical equation R-phrases , , , , S-phrases , , , , Flash point Flammable gas Related Compounds Related oxides carbon dioxide; carbon suboxide; dicarbon monoxide; carbon trioxide Supplementary data page Structure and properties n, Îµr, etc. ... This article is about the chemistry of hydrogen. ... The mole (symbol: mol) is the SI base unit that measures an amount of substance. ... Carbon dioxide is a chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom. ... A chemical equation is a symbolic representation of a chemical reaction. ...

Although natural gas is the most economical and widely used feedstock for methanol production, other feedstocks can be used. Where natural gas is unavailable, light petroleum products can be used in its place. Carbon dioxide is a chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom. ... This article is about the chemistry of hydrogen. ... Impact from a water drop causes an upward rebound jet surrounded by circular capillary waves. ... Petro redirects here. ...

Applications

Methanol is a common laboratory solvent. It is especially useful for HPLC and UV/VIS spectroscopy due to its low UV cutoff. Chromatography is a family of analytical chemistry techniques for the separation of mixtures. ... Ultraviolet-Visible Spectroscopy or Ultraviolet-Visible Spectrophotometry (UV/ VIS) involves the spectroscopy of photons (spectrophotometry). ...

Feedstock

The largest use of methanol by far, is in making other chemicals. About 40% of methanol is converted to formaldehyde, and from there into products as diverse as plastics, plywood, paints, explosives, and permanent press textiles. R-phrases , , , S-phrases , , , , , Flash point -53 Â°C Related Compounds Related aldehydes acetaldehyde benzaldehyde Related compounds ketones carboxylic acids Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 Â°C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references Formaldehyde (methanal) is the chemical compound with the formula... For other uses, see Plastic (disambiguation). ... Towers of Hanoi constructed from plywood. ... For other uses, see Paint (disambiguation). ... This article is concerned solely with chemical explosives. ... A permanent press is a fabric that has been chemically processed with methanol to resist wrinkles and hold its shape. ... For other uses, see Textile (disambiguation). ...

Also in early 1970s Methanol to gasoline process was developed by Mobil, which produces gasoline ready for use in vehicles. One such industrial facility was built in New Zealand in the 1980s. In the 1990s, large amounts of methanol were used in the United States to produce the gasoline additive methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), though leakage has led to many states banning it. In addition to direct use as a fuel, methanol (or less commonly, ethanol) is used as a component in the transesterification of triglycerides to give a form of biodiesel. The methanol to gasoline process is a method of producing liquid hydrocarbons for use as synthetic fuel from methanol by heating with ZSM-5 zeolite catalyst. ... Mobil gas station in the Loisaida section of the East Village of New York City Mobil was a major American oil company which merged with Exxon in 1999 to form ExxonMobil. ... Methyl tert-butyl ether, also known as methyl tertiary butyl ether and MTBE, is a chemical compound with molecular formula C5H12O. MTBE is a volatile, flammable and colorless liquid that is immiscible, yet reasonably soluble in water. ... Grain alcohol redirects here. ... In organic chemistry, transesterification is the process of exchanging the alkoxy group of an ester compound by another alcohol. ... Triglyceride (blue: fatty acid; red: glycerol backbone) Triglycerides are glycerides in which the glycerol is esterified with three fatty acids. ... This article is about transesterified plant and animal oils. ...

Other chemical derivatives of methanol include dimethyl ether, which has replaced chlorofluorocarbons as an aerosol spray propellant, and acetic acid. Dimethyl ether, also known as methoxymethane, oxybismethane, methyl ether, wood ether, and DME, is a colorless gaseous ether with an ethereal odor. ... For other uses, see CFC (disambiguation). ... Aerosol spray can Aerosol spray is a type of canister that sprays an aerosol when its button is pressed or held down. ... R-phrases , S-phrases , , , Flash point 43 Â°C Related Compounds Related carboxylic; acids Formic acid; Propionic acid; Butyric acid Related compounds acetamide; ethyl acetate; acetyl chloride; acetic anhydride; acetonitrile; acetaldehyde; ethanol; thioacetic acid; acetylcholine; acetylcholinesterase Supplementary data page Structure and properties n, Îµr, etc. ...

Automotive fuel

Methanol is used on a limited basis to fuel internal combustion engines, mainly by virtue of the fact that it is not nearly as flammable as gasoline. Pure methanol is required by rule to be used in Champcars, USAC sprint cars (as well as midgets, modifieds, etc.), and other dirt track series such as World of Outlaws. Methanol is also used in radio controlled model airplanes (required in the "glow-plug" engines that primarily power them), cars and trucks. Drag racers and mud racers also use methanol as their primary fuel source. Methanol is required with a supercharged engine in a Top Alcohol Dragster and, until the end of the 2005 season, all vehicles in the Indianapolis 500 had to run methanol. Mud racers have mixed methanol with gasoline and nitrous oxide to produce more power than gasoline and nitrous oxide alone. It has been suggested that Methanol economy be merged into this article or section. ... A colorized automobile engine The internal combustion engine is an engine in which the combustion of fuel and an oxidizer (typically air) occurs in a confined space called a combustion chamber. ... Flammable or Flammability refers to the ease at which a substance will ignite, causing fire or combustion. ... Look up gasoline in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Nigel Mansell racing in a Champcar in 1993 Terminology Champcar, a shortened form of Championship Car, has been the name for a class of cars used in American Championship Car Racing for many decades. ... The United States Automobile Club (USAC) was the primary sanctioning body for open-wheel motor racing in the United States from the mid-1950s until the late 1970s. ... World of Outlaws sprint car World of Outlaws late model The World of Outlaws (often abbreviated WoO) is an American sanctioning body. ... 1:10 scale radio controlled car (Saab Sonett) A radio controlled (R/C) model is a model that is steerable with the use of radio control. ... A Die Cast Boeing 747-800 static model. ... For the glow plugs used in automotive diesel engines, see Glowplug A glow plug (alternatively spelled glowplug or glow-plug) is a device, something like a spark plug, used to ignite the fuel in the very small internal combustion engines used in model aircraft, model cars and similar applications. ... Top Fuel dragster Drag racing is a sport in which cars race down a track with a set distance as fast as possible. ... Top Alcohol dragsters are basically Top Fuel dragsters on a diet. ... â€œIndy 500â€ redirects here. ...

One of the drawbacks of methanol as a fuel is its corrosivity to some metals, including aluminium. Methanol, although a weak acid, attacks the oxide coating that normally protects the aluminium from corrosion: For the hazard, see corrosive. ... Aluminum redirects here. ...

The resulting methoxide salts are soluble in methanol, resulting in clean aluminum surface, which is readily oxidised by some dissolved oxygen. Also the methanol can act as an oxidizer: Methoxide is an organic salt, and the smallest alkoxide. ... This article is about the chemical element and its most stable form, or dioxygen. ...

This reciprocal process effectively fuels corrosion until either the metal is eaten away or the concentration of CH₃OH is negligible.

When produced from wood or other organic materials, the resulting organic methanol (bioalcohol) has been suggested as renewable alternative to petroleum-based hydrocarbons. However, one cannot use pure methanol in modern petroleum cars without modification, due to potential damage to metal piping and rubber seals. Bioalcohol is alcohol obtained from biological sources, not from petroleum. ... Look up Hydrocarbon in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Other applications

Methanol is a traditional denaturant for ethanol, thus giving the term methylated spirit. Methylated spirit (Meths or denatured alcohol â€” but not Rubbing alcohol which is different [1]) is ethanol which has been rendered toxic or otherwise undrinkable, and in some cases dyed. ...

Methanol is also used as a solvent, and as an antifreeze in pipelines and windshield washer fluid. For other uses, see Solvent (disambiguation). ... Antifreeze is a water-based liquid coolant used in gasoline and diesel engines. ... Windshield washer fluid being poured into a vehicle Windshield washer fluid is a fluid for motor vehicles that is used in cleaning the windshield while the vehicle is being driven. ...

In some wastewater treatment plants, a small amount of methanol is added to wastewater to provide a food source of carbon for the denitrifying bacteria, which convert nitrates to nitrogen. Also called Wastewater treatment works Sewage treatment â€“ treatment and disposal of human waste. ... Wastewater is any water that has been adversely affected in quality by anthropogenic influence. ... Denitrifying bacteria form a necessary part of the process known as denitrification as part of the nitrogen cycle, their primary purpose being to metabolise nitrogenous compounds, with the assistance of the nitrase reductase enzyme, to turn oxides back to nitrogen gas or nitrous oxides for energy generation. ... Trinitrate redirects here. ... General Name, symbol, number nitrogen, N, 7 Chemical series nonmetals Group, period, block 15, 2, p Appearance colorless gas Standard atomic weight 14. ...

During World War II, methanol was used as a fuel in several German military rocket designs, under name M-Stoff, and in a mixture as C-Stoff. Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki TÅjÅ Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... C-Stoff (C substance) was a reductant used in bipropellant rocket fuels developed by Helmuth Walter Werke in Germany during World War 2. ...

Methanol is used as a denaturing agent in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. SDS-PAGE autoradiography DNA agarose gel Gel electrophoresis is a group of techniques used by scientists to separate molecules based on physical characteristics such as size, shape, or isoelectric point. ...

Direct-methanol fuel cells are unique in their low temperature, atmospheric pressure operation, allowing them to be miniaturized to an unprecedented degree. This, combined with the relatively easy and safe storage and handling of methanol may open the possibility of fuel cell-powered consumer electronics, such as for laptop computers.^[1] Direct-methanol fuel cells or DMFCs are a subcategory of Proton-exchange fuel cells where, the fuel, methanol, is not reformed, but fed directly to the fuel cell. ... Consumer electronics is a term used to describe the category of electronic equipment intended for everyday use by people, the consumers. ...

Health and safety

Methanol is toxic by two mechanisms. Firstly, methanol (whether it enters the body by ingestion, inhalation, or absorption through the skin) can be fatal due to its CNS depressant properties in the same manner as ethanol poisoning. Secondly, it is toxic by its breakdown (toxication) by the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase in the liver by forming formic acid and formaldehyde which cause permanent blindness by destruction of the optic nerve.^[2] Fetal tissue will not tolerate methanol. Dangerous doses will build up if a person is regularly exposed to vapors or handles liquid without skin protection. If methanol has been ingested, a doctor should be contacted immediately. The usual fatal dose is 100–125 mL (4 fl oz). Toxic effects take hours to start, and effective antidotes can often prevent permanent damage. This is treated using ethanol or fomepizole.^[3] Either of these drugs acts to slow down the action of alcohol dehydrogenase on methanol by means of competitive inhibition, so that it is excreted by the kidneys rather than being transformed into toxic metabolites. Toxic redirects here, but this is also the name of a song by Britney Spears; see Toxic (song) Look up toxic and toxicity in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... In general terms, eating (formally, ingestion) is the process of consuming something edible, i. ... Absorption, in chemistry, is a physical or chemical phenomenon or a process in which atoms, molecules, or ions enter some bulk phase - gas, liquid or solid material. ... For other uses, see Skin (disambiguation). ... See also sedative. ... Grain alcohol redirects here. ... Toxic redirects here, but this is also the name of a song by Britney Spears; see Toxic (song) Look up toxic and toxicity in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Toxication is the process of drug metabolism in which the metabolite of a compound is more toxic than the parent drug or chemical. ... Ribbon diagram of the enzyme TIM, surrounded by the space-filling model of the protein. ... Alcohol Dehydrogenase Alcohol dehydrogenases are a group of dehydrogenase enzymes that occur in many organisms and facilitate the interconversion between alcohols and aldehydes or ketones. ... For the bird, see Liver bird. ... Formic acid (systematically called methanoic acid) is the simplest carboxylic acid. ... R-phrases , , , S-phrases , , , , , Flash point -53 Â°C Related Compounds Related aldehydes acetaldehyde benzaldehyde Related compounds ketones carboxylic acids Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 Â°C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references Formaldehyde (methanal) is the chemical compound with the formula... This article is about the visual condition. ... This article is about the anatomical structure. ... Grain alcohol redirects here. ... Fomepizole or 4-Methylpyrazole is indicated for use as an antidote in confirmed or suspected methanol or ethylene glycol poisoning. ... Alcohol Dehydrogenase Alcohol dehydrogenases are a group of dehydrogenase enzymes that occur in many organisms and facilitate the interconversion between alcohols and aldehydes or ketones. ... Competitive inhibition is a form of enzyme inhibition where binding of the inhibitor to the enzyme prevents binding of the substrate and vice versa. ... The kidneys are the organs that filter wastes (such as urea) from the blood and excrete them, along with water, as urine. ...

The initial symptoms of methanol intoxication are those of central nervous system depression: headache, dizziness, nausea, lack of coordination, confusion, drowsiness, and with sufficiently large doses, unconsciousness and death. The initial symptoms of methanol exposure are usually less severe than the symptoms resulting from the ingestion of a similar quantity of ethyl alcohol. A diagram showing the CNS: 1. ... A depressant, referred to in slang as a downer, is a chemical agent that diminishes the function or activity of a specific part of the body. ... Ethyl alcohol, also known as ethanol or grain alcohol, is a flammable, colorless chemical compound, one of the alcohols that is most often found in alcoholic beverages. ...

Once the initial symptoms have passed, a second set of symptoms arises 10–30 hours after the initial exposure to methanol: blurring or complete loss of vision, together with acidosis. These symptoms result from the accumulation of toxic levels of formate in the bloodstream, and may progress to death by respiratory failure. The ester derivatives of methanol do not share this toxicity. For acidosis referring to acidity of the urine, see renal tubular acidosis. ... Formate or methanoate is the ion is HCOO- (formic acid minus one hydrogen ion). ... Respiratory failure is a medical term for inadequate gas exchange by the respiratory system. ... For other uses, see Ester (disambiguation). ...

Ethanol is sometimes denatured (adulterated), and thus made undrinkable, by the addition of methanol. The result is known as methylated spirit or "meths" (UK use). (The latter should not be confused with meth, a common abbreviation for methamphetamine.) Methylated spirit (Meths or denatured alcohol â€” but not Rubbing alcohol which is different [1]) is ethanol which has been rendered toxic or otherwise undrinkable, and in some cases dyed. ... This article is about the psychostimulant, d-methamphetamine. ...

Pure methanol has been used in open wheel auto racing since the mid-1960s. Unlike petroleum fires, methanol fires can be extinguished with plain water. A methanol-based fire burns invisibly, unlike gasoline, which burns with visible smoke. If a fire occurs on the track, there is no smoke to obstruct the view of fast approaching drivers, but this can also delay visual detection of the fire and the initiation of fire suppression actions. The decision to permanently switch to methanol in American IndyCar racing was a result of the devastating crash and explosion at the 1964 Indianapolis 500 which killed drivers Eddie Sachs and Dave MacDonald.^[4] Modern Formula One Renault 1993 Indy Car Open wheel car is a term for cars, usually purpose built racecars, with the wheels located outside the cars main body, as distinct from cars which have their wheels below the body or fenders, in the manner of most street cars, stock... Active fire protection is one of the three types of structural fire protection. ... 1994 Indianapolis 500, a National Championship race Since 1916 there has been a United States national automobile racing championship for drivers of single seater (commonly referred to as open wheel) cars. ... Results of the 1964 Indianapolis 500 held at Indianapolis on May 30, 1964. ... Eddie Sachs (May 28, 1927 in Allentown, Pennsylvania - May 30, 1964) was a United States Auto Club driver who was known as the Caped Crusader of Auto Racing and Clown Prince of Auto Racing for his personality at the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race. ... This page is a candidate for speedy deletion. ...

One concern with the addition of methanol to automotive fuels is highlighted by recent groundwater impacts from the fuel additive methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE). Leaking underground gasoline storage tanks created MTBE plumes in groundwater that eventually contaminated well water. Methanol's high solubility in water raises concerns that similar well water contamination could arise from the widespread use of methanol as an automotive fuel^{[citation needed]}. Methyl tert-butyl ether, also known as methyl tertiary butyl ether and MTBE, is a chemical compound with molecular formula C5H12O. MTBE is a volatile, flammable and colorless liquid that is immiscible, yet reasonably soluble in water. ...

Contents

History

Production

Applications

Feedstock

Automotive fuel

Other applications

Health and safety

See also

References

External links

Contents

History GA_googleFillSlot("encyclopedia_square");

Production

Applications

Feedstock

Automotive fuel

Other applications

Health and safety

See also

References

External links

History