Hi all.
I've removed the reference to heating the methanol from the Biodiesel basics document. Some valued contributers in this group have voiced their concern that heating methanol, even if done safely can be dangerous.
This is the thread I'm talking about. http://www.biofuelsforum.com/showthread.php?t=158.
One main reason is that of exothermic heating. This is heat created by a chemical reaction. If one where to heat methanol then add a reactant that heats it some more (the exorthermic reaction), it may push to the methanol to the boiling point where it becomes quite violent.
So I got no problem in removing it. No point pushing beginner to the limits of safety. I've stopped heating methanol now that I'm producing larger batches anyway, so I guess there is no point preaching it any more. I'd also recomment that if any has followed this procedure in the past, to re-read it and stop heating the methanol as a part of their procedure.
Cheers for letting me know about your feeling on the procedures and please let me know if there are any other concerns.
Cheers
joe
I've removed the reference to heating the methanol from the Biodiesel basics document. Some valued contributers in this group have voiced their concern that heating methanol, even if done safely can be dangerous.
This is the thread I'm talking about. http://www.biofuelsforum.com/showthread.php?t=158.
One main reason is that of exothermic heating. This is heat created by a chemical reaction. If one where to heat methanol then add a reactant that heats it some more (the exorthermic reaction), it may push to the methanol to the boiling point where it becomes quite violent.
So I got no problem in removing it. No point pushing beginner to the limits of safety. I've stopped heating methanol now that I'm producing larger batches anyway, so I guess there is no point preaching it any more. I'd also recomment that if any has followed this procedure in the past, to re-read it and stop heating the methanol as a part of their procedure.
Cheers for letting me know about your feeling on the procedures and please let me know if there are any other concerns.
Cheers
joe