Methanol behaves much like petroleum, so it can be stored and shifted in the same manner. It is a more flexible fuel than hydrocarbon fuels, per­mitting wider variation from the ideal A:F ratio. It has relatively good lean combustion characteristics compared to hydrocarbon fuels. Its wider inflammability limits and higher flame speeds have shown higher ther­mal efficiency and less exhaust emissions, compared with petrol engines.

Methanol can be used directly or mixed with gasoline. Tests have shown improvements in fuel economy by 5—13%, decreases in CO emis­sion by 14-70%, and reductions in exhaust temperature by 1-9%, with varying methanol in petrol from 5 to 30%. Depending on the gasoline — methanol mixture, some changes in fuel supply are essential. Simple modifications to the carburetor or fuel injection can allow methanol to replace petrol easily. Some important features of methanol as fuel are listed below:

1. The specific fuel consumption with methanol as fuel is 50% less than a petrol engine.

2. Exhaust CO and HC are decreased continuously with blends con­taining higher percentage of methanol. But exhaust aldehyde con­centration shows the opposite trend.

3. Like ethanol, methanol can also be used as a supplementary fuel in heavy vehicles powered by CI engines with consequent savings in diesel oil and reduced exhaust pollution. No undue wear of engine components are encountered with methanol as a fuel, while engine peak power improves and smoke density and NOx concentration in exhaust is reduced.

Phase separation, vapor lock, and low-temperature starting difficulties are the problems associated with the use of methanol or its blends as

IC engine fuels. Availability from indigenous sources, ease of handling, low emission, and high thermal efficiency obtainable with its use make methanol a logical alternative fuel for vehicular engines.