this webpage supplements the biodiesel how-to article in the April 2005 Energy Self-Sufficiency Newsletter. For a free download of Energy Self-Sufficiency Newsletter please see www.rebelwolf.com
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Methanol can be bought through several types of distributors, as it is sold
for several different uses. The price can vary from $2 a gallon to $4 a gallon.
Methanol is made from natural gas and the price fluctuates with the price of
natural gas. It is sold either 'by the gallon' (ie bring your own gas cans)
or by the drum- 15, 30, or 55 gallon drums.
For test batches, we often use yellow bottle Heet brand gas line antifreeze (99% methanol) from auto parts stores. But for anything larger than a liter, you'll need to find a better supply
Buying smallish quantities 'by the gallon' has some advantages over buying full drums- buying only as much as you will use in a batch or two keeps you from storing large amounts of a flammable substance and makes it easier to stay within the fire code requirements for residential storage of flammables, and buying by the gallon makes it possible for people without pickup trucks to transport-
buy
a standard red gas can, or a thick HDPE carboy like the one on the left, label
it clearly as 'methanol' and be sure to store it such that no one accidentally
tries to use it as gasoline.
Above: polyethylene carboy from US Plastic
The precations and regulations around handling and storing methanol are identical
to those for handling and storing gasoline.
To find methanol suppliers, I usually dig into the yellow pages and search several
categories:
1. automotive racing- the easiest place to find methanol is usually through
auto race tracks, racing engine builders, or performance shops. This is usually
categorised in several different ways in the yellow pages- performance, auto,
racing, racetracks. These sources are likely to sell it 'by the gallon' although
that is not always the case. Some racetracks are seasonal.
2. petroleum distributors- methanol is also an alternative fuel and is
used in some applications as a fuel additive. I've had good luck finding it
by calling bulk petroleum distributors. They are likely to carry it year-round,
but are likely to sell only full drums.
yellow pages: petroleum, fuel, or gasoline, wholesale or bulk. If they don't
carry it they may know who does.
Between these two sources you should be able to find the stuff semi-locally.
If not, try these:
3. chemical suppliers: there are two major categories of chemical distributors-
places which cater to laboratories and researchers, and places which cater to
industry. The laboratory supply houses usually sell everything at a premium.
Industrial chemical supply houses are more affordable but usually require a
business license or other proof of legitimate business use. I have had good
luck faxing orders in beforehand using business letterhead (including non-chemical
businesses like construction companies, since that is the line of work I"m in).
If they question what you're buying it for, explain what you're doing- it should
make sense to them. They're concerned about methamphetamine labs and the like
so they may seem leery of an obvious non-business user, but should understand
if you explain the fuel application.
yellow pages: both types of chemical suppliers are usually listed together
under 'chemicals'- you just have to call about pricing to figure out if you
can afford to deal with them, it's likely to be higher than at a race fuel supply
or a petroleum place.
4. If in doubt, go to www.forums.biodieselnow.com
and ask your questions in the 'regional' forums for your area. Someone is likely
to know where it's available in your location.
Energy Self-Sufficiency Newsletter is a free e-magazine devoted to renewable energy
Maria 'Mark' Alovert is the author of the Biodiesel Homebrew Guide book and a member of the Biodiesel Collaborative Tutorial project at www.localb100.com
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