Britannica Sources used in this answer

How is methanol made from natural gas used as a fuel or fuel additive?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

natural gas The Troll A natural gas production platform in the North Sea, 80 km (50 miles) northwest of Bergen, Norway. Troll A, the largest movable structure ever built, rests on the seafloor some 300 metres (990 feet) below the surface and rises more than 100 metres (330 feet) above the sea. The platform regulates the recovery of gas from 40 wells located on the seafloor.

Methanol is synthesized from natural gas by converting it into a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, which is then processed through a catalytic reaction.123

As a fuel, methanol is valued for its high octane rating and clean-burning characteristics, making it a potential substitute for gasoline. It has historically been used in high-performance racing, such as at the Indianapolis 500. However, its commercial adoption as a motor fuel has been limited by its solvent properties, which can degrade plastic and rubber components in modern fuel systems.13

Beyond its use as a direct fuel, methanol serves as a precursor for methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), an oxygenated fuel additive. MTBE is blended into gasoline specifically to increase its octane number. While methanol remains a versatile chemical feedstock, its application as a primary fuel is currently less common than ethanol-based alternatives.21