Difference between crude methanol and methanol

In chemical production, methanol (ethanol) and crude methanol (impure ethanol), as important raw materials, are widely used in many fields, including pharmaceuticals, alcohol production, industrial solvents and so on. There are significant differences in quality and origin between the two, and understanding these differences is essential to optimize the production process and ensure product quality. This article will provide an in-depth analysis of the differences between crude methanol and methanol to help chemical industry professionals make a more informed choice of raw materials.

1. what is crude methanol?

Crude methanol refers to methanol products that are not refined or have a purity that does not meet industry standards. In chemical production, methanol is usually produced by fermentation, distillation or chemical synthesis. The impurity sources of crude methanol are various, which may include the residue of substrate that has not been removed, the mixing of industrial water, and the by-products that have not been completely separated during distillation. Due to the presence of impurities, the purity of crude methanol is usually between 60% and 80%, which cannot be directly used for high-precision industrial applications.

2. what is methanol?

Methanol is a pure organic compound, molecular formula CH3OH, chemical stability, colorless and tasteless, soluble in water and organic solvents. In industry and laboratories, the purity of methanol is very high and is usually obtained by distillation, rectification or chemical synthesis. The purity of methanol can reach more than 99%, which is suitable for high-precision applications such as fine chemicals, biofuel production, and laboratory reagents.

3, methanol and crude methanol main difference

3.1 purity difference

The purity of methanol is much higher than that of crude methanol. The purity of methanol is usually above 99%, while the impurity content of crude methanol is between 20% and 40%. This difference in purity directly affects the use of raw materials, high-purity methanol is suitable for fine processes, while crude methanol is more suitable for large-scale production.

3.2 Source Differences

Methanol is usually obtained by chemical synthesis or high purity distillation process, and the production process strictly controls the production of impurity urities. Crude methanol is mostly produced by physical distillation or chemical fermentation, and impurities are easily introduced in the process, resulting in low product purity.

3.3 Application Scenario Differences

The purity of methanol makes it suitable for precisely controlled industrial scenarios, such as the production of biofuels and the synthesis of fine chemicals. Crude methanol is more suitable for large-scale production scenarios, such as the commercial production of alcohol, industrial solvents, etc. In key processes, the use of methanol can ensure product quality and safety, while crude methanol may introduce impurities and affect the stability and performance of the final product.

3.4 security and stability differences

Methanol is chemically stable and suitable for use in high temperature and high pressure environments without causing flammable and explosive risks. Due to the presence of impurities, crude methanol may release harmful substances at high temperatures and should be used with greater caution.

3.5 storage condition differences

Methanol has a low density and high volatility, suitable for storage at room temperature, to avoid the risk of accumulation due to improper storage conditions. The low purity and potential impurities of crude methanol may affect the storage stability and should be stored in a constant temperature and dry environment.

4, choose methanol or crude methanol recommendations

For fine chemical production that requires high-purity raw materials, methanol is a better choice because it can ensure the safety of the production process and product quality. For large-scale industrial production, crude methanol has also been widely used because of its cost advantages and high production efficiency. Therefore, professionals in the chemical industry need to select the appropriate raw materials according to the specific production scenario and process requirements.

5. Summary

The application of crude methanol and methanol in chemical production has its own characteristics. The high purity of methanol makes it more suitable for fine processes, while the economics of crude methanol make it more suitable for large-scale production. Understanding the difference between the two is helpful for chemical enterprises to optimize production process and improve product quality. In the future, with the needs of environmental protection and sustainable development, higher quality methanol products will be widely used, and the application of crude methanol in specific scenarios will gradually decrease. Chemical industry professionals need to pay more attention to raw material selection and production process control to meet future industry challenges and opportunities.