Issues Associated with Widespread Utilization of Methanol

Many fuel cell vehicle developers are focussing on the use of methanol as a fuel. As the world's largest producer and marketer of methanol, Methanex has been involved with fuel cell activities globally for many years. This paper outlines the various technical aspects associated with the widespread utilization of methanol. Specifically the following issues are detailed: advantages of methanol for fuel cell vehicles, feedstock availability for methanol production, outline of CO2 emissions from methanol production plants, methanol distribution and retail infrastructure requirements, development of a suitable methanol specification to ensure the safe introduction of methanol for this application, and the environmental fate of methanol. Any potential new fuel requires careful scrutiny of many factors prior to introduction and methanol appears to be a viable fuel for the future.