Reclaimed meth.

[Oilybloke]

On the assurance that they had sold tanker loads of the stuff, I recently bought two IBCs of reclaimed meth. I have made three batches with it, and just can't seem to get a good clear pass. Oil is always thoroughly dried, and I two-stage with KOH. Using virgin meth, my second stage was normally around 10%, never any more than 25%. These last three have been 30 - 40% for the second stage, and still not going all the way.

I have tried a new bag of KOH too.

Any thoughts?

[Julian]

The logical thing would be to test the Methanol purity I'd guess.

Did the seller make any claims as to it's purity before you bought it?

[Oilybloke]

They claim 97%+. Do I weigh it to test the purity?

[Julian]

If I'd been a bit more diligent and finished the page it might have been a bit more useful but it may help.

Most accurate method is a hydrometer.  For accuracy the laboratory type.  They can be picked up on ebay for around £15.00 ish.

It's possible to weigh the methanol but you need to be very accurate with temperatures and volumes.

[nigelb]

They claim 97%+. Do I weigh it to test the purity?

This one of the worries I have regarding reclaimed. A claim is just a claim but did it come with a certificate of conformaty or analysis.

What does that 3% contain? I'll wager a barrel of virgin that's it's not just water.

I can only imagine Oily that the cost of these two IBC's were rather attractive.

[Oilybloke]

They claim 97%+. Do I weigh it to test the purity?

This one of the worries I have regarding reclaimed. A claim is just a claim but did it come with a certificate of conformaty or analysis.

What does that 3% contain? I'll wager a barrel of virgin that's it's not just water.I too wondered about that 3%!

I can only imagine Oily that the cost of these two IBC's were rather attractive.Not far off the same price as I paid for virgin from them last time! And I did query the quality, but was assured by the sales bod that they had sold "450k litres to the biodiesel industry with no problems"

[julesandtash]

Have you tried using just a little bit more than usual.
If your process is very tight on methanol then that difference in purity could be stalling the conversion.

Of course, as Nige says, that 3% could be anything and could be affecting your process too

[Greenchef]

I too was recently seduced by cheep reclaimed methanol, I think the problem is they do sell tanker loads of the stuff to commercial producers, but I just don't believe these producers have quite as high standards as we do!
I talked my problem through with their technical advisor, he told me to re do my titration! I explained that I didn't do that, I used the no titration  method, he told me that that's obviously the problem then!
I then explained the no titration method and the reduction in catalist requirement! The bloke did not have a clue what I was on about. Just shows what we are up against!
Have now spoken to two well known guys on hear who have I think pointed me in the right direction big thank you to Keith and Nigel.

[Oilybloke]

My hydrometer arrived today (would you believe that no-one stocks them over here?!) and warmed the meth to 20c. Plopped the hydrometer into the sample, and it just sank straight to the bottom! It's a brewer's/winemaker's one, have I fkd up?

So I decided to weigh a sample. Given that a litre should weigh 794g, my 100ml sample weighed 84g but over a 15 minute period went down to 80g. I did this twice, with the same result.

Answers on a postcard please......

[Jamesrl]

My hydrometer arrived today (would you believe that no-one stocks them over here?!) and warmed the meth to 20c. Plopped the hydrometer into the sample, and it just sank straight to the bottom! It's a brewer's/winemaker's one, have I fkd up?

So I decided to weigh a sample. Given that a litre should weigh 794g, my 100ml sample weighed 84g but over a 15 minute period went down to 80g. I did this twice, with the same result.

Answers on a postcard please......

You need a Trallies Hydrometer, for spirits.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Spirit-Hydrometer-Measures-abv-of-spirit-alcohol-Simple-to-use-0-100-New-/221200467939?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Food_SM&hash=item33809347e3

Did you read the meniscus correctly and was the methanol and measuring cylinder at the temperature it's calibrated at, all these things will give a false result if not adhered to. 

[nigelb]

Did you read the meniscus correctly and was the methanol and measuring cylinder at the temperature it's calibrated at, all these things will give a false result if not adhered to.

Jim...he couldn't read the meniscus if he wanted to. He says it sank straight to the bottom.

[Jamesrl]

Did you read the meniscus correctly and was the methanol and measuring cylinder at the temperature it's calibrated at, all these things will give a false result if not adhered to.

Jim...he couldn't read the meniscus if he wanted to. He says it sank straight to the bottom.

I was referring to the meniscus on the measuring cylinder when weighing the meth y'narna

[nigelb]

Well you didn't bleedin' say that did ya you old git

[Jamesrl]

Well you didn't bleedin' say that did ya you old git

Oh yes I did, y'blind bugger, read it again, if you don't understand ask, you'll neva lern nuffin' if'n y'don't ask y'silly boy.

[nigelb]

Then perhaps you need to write a little clearer. 

...might save a bit of confusion for some of us