From natural gas it is impossible to receive the real gasoline. But from it it is possible to synthesize methanol which in itself is an excellent alternative to gasoline.
Contrary to popular belief, it is impossible to receive gasoline from natural gas. When speak about receiving gasoline from gas, it is about synthesis of methyl alcohol which can be used as high-octane gasoline additive or as independent fuel.
Methanol - new gasoline
The principle of receiving methanol consists of natural gas that gas at the increased temperature gives reaction to water vapor and catalysts therefore at first so-called "synthesis gas" of which, in turn, methanol is formed is formed.
As show researches, methyl alcohol can be used as high-octane additive to usual gasoline. Besides, methanol can be used as fuel and in itself - its octane number makes 115. The engine of the car which is filled instead of gasoline with methyl alcohol serves much longer. At the same time, only thanks to replacement of one type of fuel by another, engine capacity automatically increases by 20%. In exhaust gases of the car using methyl alcohol there are no harmful impurity.
Receiving alcohol from gas
The device for receiving methanol from natural gas in house conditions can be designed independently. It consists of two tubes - one of them is connected to the crane with cold water, another - to a source of natural gas (gas stove or a cylinder). The ends of both tubes enter the mixer in which mix of gas and water vapor heats up a torch to temperature about 100-120 degrees. From the mixer gas-water mix comes to the reactor filled with the catalyst. The catalyst consists for 25% of nickel and for 75% of aluminum. In the reactor under the influence of high temperature (about 500 degrees) and the catalyst the synthesis gas consisting of hydrogen and monoxide of carbon is formed of gas-water mix. Further hot synthesis gas comes to the fridge where it is cooled up to the temperature of 35-40 degrees and comes to the compressor where contracts up to the pressure in several atmospheres. At the following stage the synthesis gas comes to the second reactor filled with the catalyst consisting of mix of 20% of zinc and 80% of copper. Here at a temperature of 270 degrees from synthesis gas methanol which then is condensed in the fridge is formed and merges in capacity. As the people experimenting with receiving methanol from natural gas in house conditions say it is possible to produce about 3-5 liters of methanol an hour. At the same time the prime cost of such fuel is only a few rubles.
Attention!
Remember that methanol - poison. Its couples are flammable. The slightest leak of natural gas from the gas stove or the device for receiving methanol can lead to explosion.