Question for the Braintrust

[kfd82]

Can Methanol be used as a fuel in a diesel engine?

I know you can use Jet A and avgas but never heard of Methanol. Anyone have knowledge in this area?
Thanks

[DaveS903]

Avgas is gasoline. Jet A is pretty close to kerosene.

[John Galt]

No, don't use methanol in a diesel.

Avgas is a very high octane gasoline. You could burn it in your car but there probably wouldn't be much benefit.

JetA is basically kerosene. It is also very similar to #1 diesel which you would use in Canada or if you're an Ice Road Trucker or something. JetA, kero, diesel are all "distillates" which can be used somewhat interchangably.

Gasoline is strictly for spark induced internal combustion engines and should not be mixed with distillates.

Hope this helps.

[kfd82]

I've been told the army uses avgas for everything from helos to humvees. (dont know its true but its what I've been told)

I KNOW you can run Jet A in a diesel engine, I have seen it at the various heliports I have flown out of. (sometimes they mix a little oil with it for lubrisity) they use it in diesel gators and in trucks that run around the field.

The reason I asked about the Methanol is we are tied up to a fuel dock. One fuel station is Diesel and the other is Methanol. Now this is a commercial dock, no one is pulling up in a bass boat around here. These pumps only fuel crew boats, work boats, tugs, lift boats, barges, ect....
I just dont know of any "big" boats that arent diesel engines. Cant figure out why they have Methanol here. I didnt want to ask if it was something obvious then look like a fool, so I was hoping the TBH braintrust would kick in with an answer.

Well I'm off to bed for the day, I'll check back around 1730 - 1800 hrs.
Thanks

[SaltwaterSlick]

If it's pure methanol, it is probably not for fueling. It is probably for refilling chemical injection tanks for injection into wells to prevent freezing of condensate when the well-bore fluids hit the mud-line. The same boats that run the equipment, would take the tanks of methanol offshore too. But you sure don't want to use methanol in a diesel... it's much too volitile, and wouldn't give you any power even if it would run... detonation would occur to early in the cycle, probably to even allow the engine to roll over.

[doublearrow]

I've seen methanol injected diesels for racing, but never as the primary fuel.

[WoJo]

Don't some big boats use Jet Turbines instead of Diesel??? I know some Navy ships do.

[Bill]

The USN Aegis ships use aircraft-type engines to power the the ship plus provide electrical power for the combat system, the phased array radar soaks up a tremendous about of power.

I dont think a diesel would run on methanol (an alcohol), you'd need to know the cetane rating (as opposed to octane for gasoline).

[kfd82]

If it's pure methanol, it is probably not for fueling. It is probably for refilling chemical injection tanks for injection into wells to prevent freezing of condensate when the well-bore fluids hit the mud-line. The same boats that run the equipment, would take the tanks of methanol offshore too. But you sure don't want to use methanol in a diesel... it's much too volitile, and wouldn't give you any power even if it would run... detonation would occur to early in the cycle, probably to even allow the engine to roll over.

I think you got something there slick.
I dont know very much about the production side of things but you may be 100% correct. Makes the most sense to me.

Thanks for everyones replies.

[Spineshot]

Methanol, can be used as a supplement in diesel engines. It cannot be used as straight fuel. It is mixed with water and is sprayed into the air intake of the turbo,and acts as a coolant for the air, and waste gas. There are systems that can be installed on most motors. Its supposed to assist in combustion, cooling and MPG.
Look up "water, methanol injection for diesels" on your browser, there should be numerous links.

[Mister Bubba's bulletman]

Avgas is higher octane gasoline.

Used to you could pull up to the FBO at you local airport and fill up your hotrod for a night of road or strip racing.

I don't know if anybody does that anymore or even needs to.

Whatever you do, don't put it in you deisel.