Methanol as the main substitute for petroleum fuels

Among the known alternative fuels, alcohols, primarily methyl and ethyl, are of the greatest interest as a mass promising fuel. The prospect of using them as alternative fuels is determined mainly by the availability of raw materials. Methanol in this respect is more preferable, since the basis for its production can be natural gas, coal, shale, natural carbonates, various wastes, etc. In addition, well-established production technology and acceptable technical and economic indicators are important. Currently, methanol is obtained mainly from natural gas, and given the significant reserves of solid fuels, it is promising to obtain it from coal. Potential raw materials for expanding the production of methanol can also serve as associated and waste gases of metallurgical and Ferroalloy production, natural carbonates, and in the future, it is possible to use carbon dioxide from the air. The article presents the main methods of methanol production.