Methanol or ethanol produced from woody biomass: Which is more advantageous?

In this study, two conversion technologies - methanol synthesis and ethanol fermentation - were compared and CO2 mitigation effect was estimated. The biomethanol production process was revealed as being preferable to the bioethanol process in terms of thermal efficiency, carbon conversion and environmental burden except electrical energy consumption. When biofuels are employed in internal combustion engines, biomethanol has greater potential for gasoline substitution, but the difference in expected CO2 reduction is rather small due to higher power consumption in methanol production. Consequently, from a short-term perspective, bioethanol is preferable since it can readily substitute the gasoline for conventional vehicles. From a long-term perspective, however, biomethanol has greater potential for gasoline substitution and CO2 mitigation. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.