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valhalla · 03-12-2006, 08:21 PM

I'm trying to find a reasonably cheap source from which to purchase straight methyl hydrate (methanol) so I can mix my own FAI fuel. Local hardware stores are charging $10.00 a gallon. I've seen mention of guys in the US paying $2.00 to $3.00 a gallon. Any ideas?

eduardo · 03-12-2006, 10:43 PM

Sir: I think there's a problem here. You seem to imply that Methyl Hydrate and Methyl Alcohol (i.e. the real Methanol) are one and the same. They most certainly are not! Methyl Hydrate is used as antifreeze, as a fuel for camp stoves, and as a solvent for shellac. Methyl hydrate also has applications with acrylic paints and inks. It will loosen dried acrylic paint, though it does not dissolve it back into a workable medium. But most importantly, it is NOT Methyl Alcohol. Please don't destroy your valuable engines by confusing the two. Regards,

Eduardo

Ken Currell · 03-12-2006, 11:06 PM

Hi

Quote:

Originally Posted by eduardo

Sir: I think there's a problem here. You seem to imply that Methyl Hydrate and Methyl Alcohol (i.e. the real Methanol) are one and the same. They most certainly are not! Methyl Hydrate is used as antifreeze, as a fuel for camp stoves, and as a solvent for shellac. Methyl hydrate also has applications with acrylic paints and inks. It will loosen dried acrylic paint, though it does not dissolve it back into a workable medium. But most importantly, it is NOT Methyl Alcohol. Please don't destroy your valuable engines by confusing the two. Regards,

Eduardo

Not according to this web site!

http://ptcl.chem.ox.ac.uk/MSDS/ME/methyl_alcohol.html

Perhaps you could elaborate on your statement?
They seem to be the same thing.
Is the chemical formula different?

Cheers

eduardo · 03-12-2006, 11:18 PM

Didn't quite want to get into it, but I welcome the opportunity to do so. They have the same MOLECULAR formula CH3OH but different structural formulas, an example of something called "isomers". I'm attaching the molecular formulas of both, clearly they are different. Don't know how they will come out in my attachments.

Eduardo

03-12-2006, 11:38 PM

Here is a simplified explanation.
Methyl Hydrate is an alchohol derived from wood, and is generally used as gas line antifreeze, or when mixed with a small amount of oil, is rubbing alchohol. Methanol is derived from grain (usually corn) and is used as a high octane fuel (dragsters and funny cars)
So if you want to mix your own fuel, be sure to specify that you want Methanol.

eduardo · 03-12-2006, 11:49 PM

We need to be careful. The alcohol derived from the fermentation and distillation of grains such as corn is called ETHANOL, it is not, I repeat, it is not, METHANOL. Ethanol, also known as ethyl alcohol or grain alcohol, is a flammable, colorless chemical compound, one of the alcohols that is most often found in alcoholic beverages. Its chemical formula is C2H5OH. In fact, t is Methyl Alcohol, or Methanol, which is derived from wood.

Eduardo

Guest · 03-13-2006, 01:05 AM

anyone got a match?????

03-13-2006, 01:41 AM

I stand corrected, your right eduardo.

03-13-2006, 05:51 AM

So, molecular structure aside, what harm will the "Wrong" one do to the engine? It all catches fire, or does it?

Ed S

valhalla · 03-13-2006, 06:17 AM

I've checked many sites and all seem to treat the two (methyl hydrate and methanol) as the same. Plus, fliers in the US have reported using methyl hydrate with no mention of problems of any sort.

What are your warnings based upon, any real world experience?

Eduardo, please describe how using methyl hydrate is going to "destroy my valuable engines"

OK, does anyone know of a cheap source of methanol??

03-12-2006, 08:21 PM	#1
valhalla RCC Junior Contributor I am: Paul J Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Moose Jaw, SK Feedback: 11 / 100% Posts: 245 Total Props: 1	Cheap source of methyl hydrate?? Remove this ad - become a site supporter! I'm trying to find a reasonably cheap source from which to purchase straight methyl hydrate (methanol) so I can mix my own FAI fuel. Local hardware stores are charging $10.00 a gallon. I've seen mention of guys in the US paying $2.00 to $3.00 a gallon. Any ideas?
	.

03-12-2006, 11:18 PM	#4
eduardo RCC Contributor I am: Eduardo Galiano Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Sudbury, ON Feedback: 2 / 100% Posts: 473 Total Props: 0	Didn't quite want to get into it, but I welcome the opportunity to do so. They have the same MOLECULAR formula CH3OH but different structural formulas, an example of something called "isomers". I'm attaching the molecular formulas of both, clearly they are different. Don't know how they will come out in my attachments. Eduardo Attached Thumbnails
	.

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03-12-2006, 10:43 PM	#2
eduardo RCC Contributor I am: Eduardo Galiano Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Sudbury, ON Feedback: 2 / 100% Posts: 473 Total Props: 0	Sir: I think there's a problem here. You seem to imply that Methyl Hydrate and Methyl Alcohol (i.e. the real Methanol) are one and the same. They most certainly are not! Methyl Hydrate is used as antifreeze, as a fuel for camp stoves, and as a solvent for shellac. Methyl hydrate also has applications with acrylic paints and inks. It will loosen dried acrylic paint, though it does not dissolve it back into a workable medium. But most importantly, it is NOT Methyl Alcohol. Please don't destroy your valuable engines by confusing the two. Regards, Eduardo
	.

03-12-2006, 11:38 PM	#5
dwv Guest Feedback: / % Posts: n/a Total Props: 0	Here is a simplified explanation. Methyl Hydrate is an alchohol derived from wood, and is generally used as gas line antifreeze, or when mixed with a small amount of oil, is rubbing alchohol. Methanol is derived from grain (usually corn) and is used as a high octane fuel (dragsters and funny cars) So if you want to mix your own fuel, be sure to specify that you want Methanol.
	.

03-12-2006, 11:49 PM	#6
eduardo RCC Contributor I am: Eduardo Galiano Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Sudbury, ON Feedback: 2 / 100% Posts: 473 Total Props: 0	We need to be careful. The alcohol derived from the fermentation and distillation of grains such as corn is called ETHANOL, it is not, I repeat, it is not, METHANOL. Ethanol, also known as ethyl alcohol or grain alcohol, is a flammable, colorless chemical compound, one of the alcohols that is most often found in alcoholic beverages. Its chemical formula is C2H5OH. In fact, t is Methyl Alcohol, or Methanol, which is derived from wood. Eduardo
	.

03-13-2006, 01:05 AM	#7
Guest Guest Join Date: Sep 2002 Feedback: 0 / 0% Posts: 0 Total Props: 57	anyone got a match?????
	.

03-13-2006, 01:41 AM	#8
dwv Guest Feedback: / % Posts: n/a Total Props: 0	I stand corrected, your right eduardo.
	.

03-13-2006, 05:51 AM	#9
Ed Smith Guest Feedback: / % Posts: n/a Total Props: 0	So, molecular structure aside, what harm will the "Wrong" one do to the engine? It all catches fire, or does it? Ed S
	.

03-13-2006, 06:17 AM	#10
valhalla RCC Junior Contributor I am: Paul J Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Moose Jaw, SK Feedback: 11 / 100% Posts: 245 Total Props: 1	I've checked many sites and all seem to treat the two (methyl hydrate and methanol) as the same. Plus, fliers in the US have reported using methyl hydrate with no mention of problems of any sort. What are your warnings based upon, any real world experience? Eduardo, please describe how using methyl hydrate is going to "destroy my valuable engines" OK, does anyone know of a cheap source of methanol??
	.

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