Methanol Spill

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Methanol Spill

METHANOL SPILL PROTECTION

To make biofuel, one of the chemical components is alcohol. Usually one of these two alcohols : Methanol or Ethanol. Methanol is a colourless liquid that boils at 64.96°C (148.93°F) and solidifies at −93.9°C (−137°F). It forms explosive mixtures with air and burns with a non-luminous flame. If a methanol spill occurs, stop or reduce discharge of material if this can be done without risk. Isolate the spill or leak area immediately for at least 330 to 660 feet in all directions.

Eliminate all sources of ignition, as the mixture of Methanol vapor with air is explosive. Herewith some considerations to be taken when handling Methanol :

Methanol is a flammable, easily ignited liquid that burns and sometimes explodes in air.

The molecular weight of methanol vapor is marginally greater (denser) than that of air (32 versus 28 grams per mole). As a result, and depending on the circumstances of a release or spill, Methanol liquid will pool and vapor may migrate near the ground and collect in confined spaces and low-lying areas. If ignited, methanol vapor can flash back to its source.

In certain specific circumstances, Methanol vapor may explode rather than burn on ignition. Methanol containers are subject to Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion (BLEVE) when heated externally.

Methanol is totally miscible in water and retains its flammability even at very high concentrations of water. A 75v% water and 25v% Methanol solution is considered to be a flammable liquid. This has important consequences for firefighting. Minimum four times of the Methanol amount to make it less flammable.

Picture - 1 : Methanol Tank Farm 5 x 5,000MT

Picture - 2 : Foam Discharge into The Bunwall

In Picture - 1 there's Methanol Tank Farm 5 x 5,000 MT surrounded by a bun wall. As said above that Methanol is miscible in water and to reduce the explosion risk, it should be mixed with a large amount of water (minimum four times of the leakage or spill volume). To protect if somehow Methanol spills inside the bunwall, the interior of the bunwall will be flooded by foam. As we know that big part of the foam solution is water. Therefore Alcohol Resistant - AFFF 3% is used. The water part of the foam solution will dillute the Methanol liquid, the foam bubble on the surface will block the Methanol vapor to get away to the atmosphere.

In Picture - 2 you will see the interior floor of the bunwall is flooded by foam. The foam forms a layer that block the Methanol liquid getting vaporized in the air. With this system, catastrophic disaster can be avoided when there is accidental discharge or spill happens. Call 3S-Firestop for fire protection of Methanol. Check this link to see video demonstration of the discharge.

3S-FIRESTOP

METHANOL SPILL PROTECTION

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