Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
As a hydrogen carrier, methanol has many advantages for fuel cell
vehicles. In 2002, DaimlerChrysler's NECAR 5 completed a cross-
country journey from the San Francisco Bridge to the U.S. Capitol
Building, achieving a 300-mile range on each tank of methanol fuel. At
Georgetown University, five methanol fuel cell buses have been built.
Europe's leading motorhome manufacturer, Hymer AG of Germany,
has integrated a direct methanol fuel cell to provide autonomous “hotel-
load” power for their Hymermobile S-Class. In Japan, Yamaha is now
leasing a motorbike powered by a methanol fuel cell. Many of the
world's leading consumer electronics companies are preparing to
market laptop computers, cell phones, and other devices powered by
direct methanol fuel cells. With no tough-to-break carbon-to-carbon
bonds, methanol readily releases its hydrogen for fuel cell use.
As a chemical commodity, methanol is a building block for
hundreds of products that touch our daily lives. And as an energy
resource, methanol is re-emerging as a clear alternative for transpor-
tation fuel markets. With abundant feedstocks from natural gas, coal,
biomass, and even waste carbon dioxide, methanol has the potential to
efficiently and economically serve as the molecular backbone of the
global economy.
REFERENCES
CMAI, (2011) World Methanol Consumption, December.
Cohn, D. (2010) The Future of Natural Gas, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, August.
Crocco, J. (2002) The Evolution of the Methanol Industry: From Ancient times
to the Future, DeWitt Global Methanol and Clean Fuels Conference,
October.
Olah, G. (2006) Beyond Oil and Gas: The Methanol Economy, Wiley-VCH.
Olofs son, M. (2012) http:// www.sw eden.g ov.se/sb/ d/7534. Last accessed date:
Nov. 10, 2012.
Specht, M. and Bandi, A. (1999) “The Methanol-Cycle”—Sustainable Supply
of Liquid Fuels, Center of Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research (ZSW).
Williams, R.H., Larson, E.D., Katosky, R.E., and Chen J. (1995) Methanol and
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