Consider the following statements about Methanol:1. It has a much high...
- Methanol is a low carbon, hydrogen carrier fuel produced from high ash coal, agricultural residue, CO2 from thermal power plants, and natural gas. It is the best pathway for meeting India’s commitment to COP 21. NITI Aaayog has drawn out a road map to substitute 10% of Crude imports by 2030, with Methanol alone.
- Statement 1 is not correct: Methanol has slightly lower energy efficiency (22.7 MJ/Kg) than petrol (44-46 MJ/Kg) and diesel (42-46 MJ/Kg) however it can replace both these fuels in the transport sector (road, rail, and marine), the energy sector (comprising tractors and commercial vehicles), and retail cooking (replacing kerosene and wood charcoal).
- Statement 2 is correct: Methanol burns efficiently in all internal combustion engines. The gaseous version of Methanol – DME (Dimethyl Ether) can be blended with LPG and can be an excellent substitute for diesel in Large buses and trucks.
- Statement 3 is correct: Methanol produces no particulate matter, no soot, almost nil SOX and NOX emissions (Near Zero Pollution). It can be produced from Natural Gas, Indian High Ash Coal, Bio-mass, MSW, stranded and flared gases, etc.
Consider the following statements about Methanol:1. It has a much high...
Statement 1: Methanol has a much higher energy efficiency than petrol and diesel.
Methanol is considered to have a higher energy efficiency compared to petrol and diesel. This is because methanol has a higher octane rating, which means it can withstand higher compression ratios in the engine without pre-ignition. As a result, methanol can extract more energy from each combustion cycle, leading to greater efficiency. Additionally, the lower carbon-to-hydrogen ratio in methanol also contributes to its higher energy efficiency.
Statement 2: Methanol burns efficiently in all internal combustion engines.
Methanol can be used as a fuel in internal combustion engines. It burns efficiently in spark-ignition engines (commonly used in cars) and compression-ignition engines (commonly used in trucks and ships) with some modifications. However, it is important to note that methanol has a lower energy density compared to petrol and diesel, which means vehicles running on methanol may require larger fuel tanks or more frequent refueling.
Statement 3: Methanol does not produce any particulate matter on burning.
When methanol is burned, it produces lower levels of particulate matter compared to traditional fossil fuels like petrol and diesel. Particulate matter refers to tiny solid or liquid particles suspended in the air, which can have adverse effects on human health and the environment. Methanol combustion produces fewer particulate emissions due to its chemical composition and cleaner burning characteristics.
Conclusion:
From the above analysis, we can conclude that statements 2 and 3 are correct. Methanol burns efficiently in all internal combustion engines, including spark-ignition engines and compression-ignition engines. Additionally, methanol combustion produces lower levels of particulate matter compared to petrol and diesel. However, statement 1 is incorrect as methanol's energy efficiency is higher than petrol and diesel due to its higher octane rating and lower carbon-to-hydrogen ratio. Therefore, the correct answer is option C, which states that statements 2 and 3 are correct.
To make sure you are not studying endlessly, EduRev has designed UPSC study material, with Structured Courses, Videos, & Test Series. Plus get personalized analysis, doubt solving and improvement plans to achieve a great score in UPSC.