An Evaluation of Methanol,Ethanol,the Propanols,and the Butanols as Ship Propulsion Fuels.

摘要

This report evaluates the alkyl monohydric alcohols from methanol through the butanols (C-1 to C-4) as Navy ship propulsion fuels. Properties of the alcohols from the technical literature are compared with the properties of Navy ship propulsion hydrocarbon fuels (Diesel Fuel Marine and JP-5). None of these alcohols is suitable as a direct substitute or as an extender for the currently used ship propulsion fuels. The use of methanol with its low volumetric energy content would entail over a 50% reduction in range between refuelings; the use of the other alcohols would result in roughly 25% to 40% loss of range. All the C-1 to C-4 alcohols have flash points below the 60 C minimum considered safe for shipboard fuels. Also, all have low cetane numbers, high water solubility, and problems with toxicity. However, methanol and mixtures of low-boiling alcohols are potentially usable as fuels for new ships specifically designed for their use.