Hi cbr6fs,
Apologies I should have clarified that, self/auto ignition temps are in the 300-400 degrees C range.
Hi,
You've made some fantastic posts with accurate and helpful info so certainly no need to apologise.
The reason i tried to clarify is because i have been asked on car forums about auto-ignition and flashpoints of methanol.
I am not sure why Methanol gets separated out so much.
Treat ALL fuels with respect and you are fine
you wouldn't drink petrol so why would you drink methanol?
Having worked in the analytical industry, There are far more dangerous solvents around yet used safely. i.e. treated with respect.
I suspect there are more deaths/injuries with butane/propane per year then methanol.
Alan
Given enough quantities and time pretty much everything is toxic, water, even the air we breath.
I do agree though ALL fuels should be handled with care.
The problem with Methanol related injuries is they're not always obvious straight away, it can take time for the methanol to take effect, after which there is not much you can do.
As it goes i use Methanol and have large barrels in my garage, i'm not overly concerned about my families safety, BUT for the sake of slipping on some gloves and safety glasses it's pretty lazy or stupid not too.
It takes seconds to put on gloves and glasses and if those few seconds reduce any risks by as little as 1 in a million it's still a good trade off IMO.
Gloves are ok but I've had them melt on me when handling chemicals back in my undergrad days.
Imagine how bad your hands would have been if you hadn't been wearing gloves
Basic common sense to use gloves that are appropriate to the chemicals your using IMO.
No good putting on gloves that are made of a material that reacts with methanol, if that's what your handling.