Its chemical formula is CH3OH, which is produced in the catalytic industrial process from carbon dioxide, hydrogen and carbon monoxide.
Methanol is a colourless liquid that boils at 64.96 °C and solidifies at −93.9 °C.
It is a highly toxic chemical which is unfit for consumption.
Methanol is a polar liquid used as a solvent, antifreeze, fuel and denaturant for ethanol.
It is poisonous to the central nervous system and can result in coma, blindness or even death.
Methanol is also an energy resource used in the marine, automotive, and electricity sectors and an emerging renewable energy resource.
Methanol is used in numerous applications such as:
- Wastewater Denitrification: It used by the private and municipal wastewater treatment that remove nitrogen from the effluent streams
- Electricity Generation: Various companies have power plants which use methanol to drive turbines which generates electricity
- Transportation Fuel: It is the most basic alcohol and is easy to transport. It is readily available and contains high rating of octane that allows for a superior vehicle performance as compared to gasoline
