Methanol, or methyl alcohol as it is also called, is among the major basic chemical raw materials produced today. It is manufactured through a well-established chemical process based predominantly on natural gas, with a limited part of world capacity based on naphtha and residual oil. The renewed interest in methanol originates in the rejuvenation of its traditional market through the recent development of new chemical applications and, foremost, in its emergence as one of the major syntetic fuel options for reducing dependence on petroleum products.