Methanol fuel can be called other names, like M85 and wood alcohol. M85 is a methanol fuel that is similar to ethanol, and can be a renewable alternative energy source for vehicles that i more environmentally friendly than fossil fuels, with far fewer carbon emissions and contributions to global warming. M85 is the name given methanol fuel that contains eighty five percent methanol and fifteen percent normal gasoline. This fuel is produced through a process that uses steam and catalysts to transform methane gas into methanol fuel. Almost all the methanol that is produced in America is done using methane that comes from natural gas, but there are other options available. Methane can also be produced using biogas or coal as well. Biogas is created from biomass, or organic matter, that ferments, such as manure and sewage.

Methanol fuel has both pros and cons, but when global warming and the damage done to the environment from burning fossil fuels is added to the consideration, the pros of methanol gas far outweigh the cons. Methanol is quite like ethanol, and is a very powerful fuel that has a one hundred octane rating. This means methanol fuels allow for a compression that is higher, and more efficiency, than traditional gasoline. Methanol fuels, including M85, burn much cleaner, with far fewer carbon emissions and particulates being released. This fuel is a much better alternative to gasoline because methanol is very earth friendly, it is both renewable and sustainable, it does not harm the environment or contribute greatly to global warming and the ice caps melting, and even at eight five percent methanol blended with fifteen percent gasoline the dependence on fossil fuels and foreign countries can be greatly diminished or eliminated completely.

Methanol does have some cons as well. Methanol is not volatile enough to be effective at starting an engine that is cold, but when it is mixed with gasoline this problem disappears. This fuel is very corrosive, and because of this special materials and storage equipment may be needed. Methanol does have a lower energy content than gasoline does, and there is also a higher cost ratio as well when compared to gasoline.

Methanol may have some cons along with the pros that this alternative fuel presents, but it is can be part of the answer for energy needs in the future. Alternative renewable energy sources must be found and used, and methanol fuel is one of the energy sources. Global warming is a serious problem that is only going to get worse over time if we all don't stand up and say enough. This includes using alternative fuels, including methanol, ethanol, solar, wind, wave, and geothermal energy. The future of energy on earth may not rest with one simple source, but may instead be a combination of effective methods that could very well include methanol. Methanol offers many benefits, including the fact that this fuel is not anywhere near as flammable or explosive as gasoline is. Research i s being done to lower the cost of methanol production, which may can be expensive until better technology catches up. Methanol combustion does release a large quantity of formaldehyde in the emissions, and this can pose a problem in some circumstances. Care must be taken with methanol so that land and ground water are not polluted by this fuel.

Methanol fuel has both advantages and disadvantages. Both of these should be weighed carefully before any decision concerning methanol or ethanol should be made. Ethanol is more environmentally friendly and can be produced cheaper and with fewer carbon emissions than methanol. It is for this reason that most American cars can use ethanol fuel but not methanol fuel. Methanol is better than traditional gasoline when it comes to emissions and global warming, but there are other alternatives that are better than methanol until technology catches up, and methanol can be created cheaply with no carbon release.