Methanol is a key ingredient in making biodiesel in our cost effective biodiesel production machines.

The molecular formula is CH₃OH.

CH3OH

Alternative Fuel Sources - Methanol

Methanol is a key ingredient in biodiesel, there are a number of things any potential maker of biodiesel must understand about methanol. Working with Methanol and Biodiesel is perfectly safe if used correctly - naturally, AnzacFuelTech biofuel processors are designed to meet all relevant EC/UK Health and Safety requirements. However there are some facts about Methanol and Biodiesel which we feel you should know:

Working with Methanol and Biodiesel

Fact: Methanol is a poisonous chemical that can blind you or kill you, and as well as drinking it you can absorb it through the skin and breathe in the fumes. How much does it take to kill you? The short answer is nobody really knows but anywhere from 5 teaspoons to half a pint.

Fact: Out of 1,601 methanol poisonings reported in the US in 1987 the death rate was 0.375%, or 1 in 267 cases. It might have been only 1 in more than a thousand cases because most cases weren't reported. Most cases were caused by drinking badly made "moonshine" (illegal alcohol), which is a worldwide problem.

Fiction: "Methanol is ... a very active chemical against which the human body has no means of defence. It is absorbed easily through the skin and there is no means of elimination from the body, so levels of methanol dissolved in the blood accumulate."

Fact: 30 litres of fruit juice will probably contain up to 20 grams of methanol, near the official minimum lethal dose. Methanol is in the food we eat, in fresh fruit and vegetables, beer and wine, diet drinks, artificial sweeteners.

Fact: Methanol is readily biodegradable in the environment under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions (with and without oxygen) in a wide variety of conditions.

Fact: There are no reports of carcinogenic, genotoxic, reproductive or developmental effects in humans due to methanol exposure. Its environmental effects if any are minimal and short-lived.

Fact: People who are making biodiesel can and do use methanol safely and the biodiesel fuel we make from it is safe and clean.

Fact: Methanol is used by millions and millions of people in model airplanes and model cars. It's the same substance we use in Biofuel and let's face it, how often do you hear of people being hurt by it?

You can take all of the above and make your own decision. Methanol is classified as a dangerous material. It is HIGHLY explosive and must be handled with the greatest of care. We recommend always wearing a filter when handling it.

The risks may be low, but risk exist. Just be sensible and you should have no problems.

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