Alcohol-based liquid fuel is mainly composed of methanol and ethanol. Methanol is the simplest saturated fatty alcohol. At normal temperature and pressure, pure methanol is colorless, transparent, volatile, flammable and slightly alcoholic.

Most alcohol-based liquid fuels are mainly methanol, but a small amount of industrial ethanol is added. Theoretically, because of the low calorific value of methanol, the fuel consumption of mixed alcohol-based liquid fuel is more than 1.8 times that of diesel. However, due to the complete combustion of alcohol-based fuel and the configuration of efficient combustion equipment, its thermal efficiency is improved, and the ratio of methanol fuel consumption to diesel fuel consumption can reach 1.3 times that of diesel fuel.

Therefore, among many clean fuels, alcohol-based fuels are welcomed by users because of their wide sources, richness, low emissions, thorough combustion, energy saving and environmental protection.