Methanol - How long does it last?
Methanol - How long does it last?
(OP)
Hello,
I've got some methanol (M100) that I have been storing in plastic 5 gallon pails with the sealed lid (o-ring). Storage time has been about 3 years. Storage area is usually dark and temperatures have swung seasonally from about 0 deg F to 85 deg F.
Now its time to use some of the methanol. Is it still "good"?
More importantly, what does "good" mean in this context? Octane rating? Volatility? Not sure what characteristic I need to be concerned about.
Intended use is for automotive fuel.
Thanks in advance..
Denis
I've got some methanol (M100) that I have been storing in plastic 5 gallon pails with the sealed lid (o-ring). Storage time has been about 3 years. Storage area is usually dark and temperatures have swung seasonally from about 0 deg F to 85 deg F.
Now its time to use some of the methanol. Is it still "good"?
More importantly, what does "good" mean in this context? Octane rating? Volatility? Not sure what characteristic I need to be concerned about.
Intended use is for automotive fuel.
Thanks in advance..
Denis
Denis Kefallinos





RE: Methanol - How long does it last?
Use it in small concentrations if you are going to use it as a gasoline additive, any concentrations over 10% will initiate component corrosion. The BTU contect of neat methanol is only about half of gasoline.
Use face mask, eye protection, rubber gloves, etc. Do not spill any of it as it is groundwater soluable. Skin will absorb it and it may cause headaches or dizziness if prolonged contact with liquid or vapor. It's toxic if you ingest it.
Franz
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RE: Methanol - How long does it last?
So what exactly do you mean by shelf life is over? How much moisture does it absorb? Instantaneously the entire batch is bad? I've opened these containers before and subsequently used the fuel, so I don't understand what you mean.
Denis Kefallinos
RE: Methanol - How long does it last?
Franz
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RE: Methanol - How long does it last?
Are there any other factors or properties that degrade over time?
Denis Kefallinos
RE: Methanol - How long does it last?
It will still absorb it very slowly if stored in a plastic container as plastics are not 100% impermeable to water vapour.
The time it takes to absorb water is anyones guess as it depends on temperature, humidity, air gap in the top of the container, quality of seals, material from which the container is made, and for plastic containers it depends on the wall thickness.
As Franz says, specific gravity will indicate water content.
You can use methanol with some moisture in it (in fact it always does have some as it starts to absorb it on any contact with any air, including the small amount of air in the top of the drum).
When you know the moisture content, you can correct the jets to compensate for water content.
For good quality (read pure dry) methanol, it will normally be less than 0.5% water when you use it, if you keep it stored in full, metal, well sealed drums and only add it to the tank within an hour or two of use.
If your stuff has say 5% water, increase jet cross sectional area by 5% vs correct jets for good methanol.
Regards
eng-tips, by professional engineers for professional engineers
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.
RE: Methanol - How long does it last?
Denis Kefallinos
RE: Methanol - How long does it last?
RE: Methanol - How long does it last?
Regards
eng-tips, by professional engineers for professional engineers
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.