Facts about Methanol
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.
to provide the appropriate stoichiometry for methanol synthesis.
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.
The carbon monoxide and hydrogen then react on a second catalyst to produce methanol.
The initial symptoms of methanol intoxication are those of central nervous system depression: headache, dizziness, nausea, lack of coordination, confusion, drowsiness, and, at sufficiently large doses, unconsciousness and death.
Ethanol is sometimes denatured (adulterated), and thus made undrinkable, by the addition of methanol.
The flexible-fuel vehicles currently being manufactured by General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler can run on any combination of ethanol, methanol and/or gasoline.
Methanol is often called wood alcohol because it was once produced chiefly as a by-product of the destructive distillation of wood.
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).
Methanol is produced naturally in the anaerobic metabolism of many varieties of bacteria.
Care should be exercised around burning methanol to avoid burning oneself on the almost invisible fire.
Problems occurred early in the development of gasoline-methanol blends.
Next, hydrogen and carbon monoxide gases are made to react under pressure in the presence of a catalyst, to produce methanol.
The use of methanol as a motor fuel received attention during the oil crises of the 1970s due to its availability and low cost.
Modern methanol production has been made more efficient through use of catalysts (commonly copper) capable of operating at lower pressures.
Methanol, also known as methyl alcohol, carbinol, wood alcohol, wood naphtha, or wood spirits, is the simplest alcohol.
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.
Methanol can enter the body by ingestion, inhalation, or absorption through the skin.
In 1923, the German chemist Matthias Pier, working for BASF developed a means to convert synthesis gas (a mixture of carbon oxides and hydrogen) into methanol.
About 40 percent of methanol is converted to formaldehyde, which in turn is used for products such as plastics, paints, explosives, and textiles.
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.
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.
Methanol ingestion can also be fatal because it can depress the central nervous system in the same manner as ethanol poisoning.
The South African firm Sasol produces methanol using synthesis gas from coal.
At ordinary temperature and pressure, methanol is a liquid with a density of 0.7918 g/cmі.
Over the course of several days, atmospheric methanol is oxidized by oxygen with the help of sunlight, to generate carbon dioxide and water.
