Brief Overview
Methanol, also known as wood alcohol with the chemical formula CH3OH, is a widely used organic solvent. As the simplest alcohol, methanol is light, colourless and volatile. It is also a flammable liquid with a special odour similar to drinking alcohol. Due to its toxicity, methanol can cause metabolic acidosis and even death.
Manufacturing Process
Methanol can be produced from many kinds of feedstocks in a series of reactions. Methanol is obtained in two stages. Feedstock natural gas is first converted into a synthesis gas stream including CO2, CO, H2O and hydrogen in a typical plant. Catalytic reforming of feed gas and steam helps to make the reaction happen. The next stage involves catalytic synthesis of methanol from the synthesis gas.