Methanol - GS questions based on daily current affairs

1)   Which of the following are uses of Methanol?

1) Electricity generation
2) Domestic fuel
3) As fuel for vehicles


a. 1, 2
b. 3
c. 2, 3
d. All of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:

  • Methanol is a fuel for heat engines and fuel cells. Due to its high octane rating it can be used directly as a fuel in flex-fuel cars (including hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles) using existing internal combustion engines (ICE).
  • In an economy based on methanol, methanol could be used as a fuel for internal combustion engines (ICEs); electricity generation; compression ignition engines (diesel engine); advanced methanol-powered vehicles; domestic fuel, etc.
  • Methanol is already used today on a large scale as raw material to produce a variety of chemicals and products.
  • Through the methanol-to-gasoline (MTG) process, it can be transformed into gasoline.
  • Using the methanol-to-olefin (MTO) process, methanol can also be converted to ethylene and propylene, the two chemicals produced in largest amounts by the petrochemical industry.