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Biodiesel => Chemistry and process => Topic started by: Tony on July 12, 2013, 09:31:22 PM

Title: Methanol, not so bad after all?
Post by: Tony on July 12, 2013, 09:31:22 PM
We seemed to have some trouble making it go bang at the BBB, whoosh yes - I can see how it blew processors apart - but not much chance of an actual explosion.  I don't feel so worried about it after the weekend :)
Title: Re: Methanol, not so bad after all?
Post by: Rotary-Motion on July 12, 2013, 09:35:00 PM
yes seemed to be quite a calm testing

 :)
Title: Re: Methanol, not so bad after all?
Post by: greasemonkey on July 12, 2013, 09:39:12 PM
I reckon the same. An explosion would be very unlikely to set the oil on fire, IMHO. Just because it explodes, does not mean it gets very hot when it does it. Oil is not that easy to light, even when it is hot.
No reason not to treat it like it will though.
I guess its one of those things like cutting through an acetylene hose, you hear all the storys of the hose shooting a ten foot flame out, and flicking round like a demented snake, followed by a huge explosion as the acetylene bottle heads for the stars.
When it actually happens, you just turn the bottle off and stick the hose in a bucket of water.

I'm still having kittens at the thought of putting it in the processor though. I'm sure I will feel better once I have done it. (Tomorrow.........)
Title: Re: Methanol, not so bad after all?
Post by: therecklessengineer on July 12, 2013, 09:39:42 PM
It suffers from the same problem that all fuels do: It has to be mixed with air.

Mix it with some fertilizer and it'll certainly go bang!
Title: Re: Methanol, not so bad after all?
Post by: Head Womble on July 12, 2013, 10:46:17 PM
I was expecting much more excitement from it, insted it was quite controlled but still fun.

No one else was brave enough to put it in the burner though  ;D
Title: Re: Methanol, not so bad after all?
Post by: knighty on July 12, 2013, 10:52:01 PM
is it like petrol, in that it's the fumes coming off it which burn and not the liquid itself ?