I applogize if the article covers this but methanol has a very high octane rating which allows much higher compression ratios.
Higher compression, better effiency. This partially makes up for the decreased energy content and is why it is used in drag racing (or something similar, I really need to go to bed)
The down side to methanol is that it is a very good solvent. Most poly lines will eventually degrade. Not imposible to overcome but would require more expensive materials.
“I applogize if the article covers this but methanol has a very high octane rating which allows much higher compression ratios.
Higher compression, better effiency. This partially makes up for the decreased energy content”
Octane equates to HP or MPG if the engine has a turbo on it.
Low octane is one of the reasons for the use of such large engines. A small 6 cylinder with a turbo at 20” of boost will make more power than a large V8.
It might be best to mix down to a 50/50 ratio of gas and methanol and let the computer adjust the timing.
A true flex fuel auto needs to have a turbo to change the effective compression ratio for burning different octane fuels.
There is a lot of ideas that could get us to about 50MPG for larger SUV’s but they will cost a little more.
So that $62,000 Escalate just might cost $70.000