Water in methanol. Is there a fix?

[Julian]

What are you guys talking about?

I think they're called Trolls these days but that's probably too stronger word for biohazard.  He used to appear on the VOD from time to time and was often quite amusing.  Only went too far on a couple of occasions (in my opinion) so was pretty innocuous.

KH and I sussed out who it was by the route Nige mentioned.  I've never divulged his identity ... have you Keith?

[dgs]

dgs,

Thanks for the offer of a test. Prob is, I have about 6 jerry cans full of this stuff, all with different hydrometer readings & TBH I don't think it's feasible to send you so many samples. Doubt you could be bothered to check them all anyway.

Slightly OT, on my last batch I tried a double glyc wash, using glyc I had washed with once before & then using 'virgin' glyc from the previous 2nd stage. I didn't do a 10/90 as I wasn't expecting a huge difference but got a 100% reaction on the first stage (21 litres & 1050 grms KOH into 150 litres). Water washing took 3 or 4 goes longer than normal so I must have overdosed. I'll 10/90 next time but was wondering as a new convert to the cult of double glyc washing, can twice used glyc be dried in much the same way BD is after water washing & reused or would the drying get rid of all the chemicals?

Would dried glyc & your suggestion of 10 litres wet meth & 200 grms of KOH be more or less worthwhile than not dried glyc?

Hi neisel,
Yes, glycerol can be dried and re-used. The way IMB used to do it was to heat it in 10litre batches to 120 degs for one hour. Obviously this will also drive off the methanol, but any residual KOH will still be present. If you are going to add methanol and KOH to it this will work.

As to your last question, I don't know as there are so many variables. You would have to try both ways to see if the drying was worth it.
http://biodiesel.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/5367078823/m/4487067973?r=4487067973#4487067973

There is a link to IMB's dry start method and although not exactly the same as you are doing, there are similarities.
Dave.

[K.H]

What are you guys talking about?

I think they're called Trolls these days but that's probably too stronger word for biohazard.  He used to appear on the VOD from time to time and was often quite amusing.  Only went too far on a couple of occasions (in my opinion) so was pretty innocuous.

KH and I sussed out who it was by the route Nige mentioned.  I've never divulged his identity ... have you Keith?

No its not really common knowledge, but they no longer post on the VOD do they?

[Julian]

mmmm....nothing quite like the sweet smell of poison in the cabin!!

I've been using contaminated methanol to make screen wash for a couple of years now and so far haven't gone blind.

I did try to find the optimum %age when I started using it but couldn't and just did a bit of experimenting.  It works really well ... glob of methanol, a glob of cheapest washing up liquid you can find (must be cheap as I think more expensive brands may contain lanolin or similar which smears on the screen), and top up with water.

You can indeed smell it in the car if you wash for a long period, but I don't think the odd waft of fumes will do any harm and, under several layers of dirt, surrounding paint work seems is unblemished.

Thinking about methanol as anti freeze when neisel started this thread, I stumbled upon a company in Colorado USA who make methanol based screen wash.  This page (  http://www.clearchoiceantifreeze.com/products.html  ) states their screen wash is 30% methanol as follows ...

Clear Choice Windshield Washer Fluid
As a service to our antifreeze customers, we proudly offer you windshield washer solvent. Our washer fluid is the finest in the business. We blend our windshield washer fluid using 30% methanol to deliver optimal freeze point protection, while giving you the peace of mind of a 100 degree flash point. Since we deliver in bulk, you'll only pay for what you need. You won't find a better product on the market.  (Available only in select areas--call for details.)

Here's a link to the MSDS ... http://www.clearchoiceantifreeze.com/pdf/MSDS-WWFluid.pdf

[dgs]

Hmm,
I'm suprised that USA rules and regulations allow methanol in washer fluid to be used in such large amounts. At 30% there is probably enough in a 5L container to kill the entire population of a small village.

[Julian]

When I started making bio, most of the US instructions said to use automotive antifreeze and drain cleaner in the process, that was long after we'd stopped using methanol as antifreeze here.