Well, I'm sure everybody else already knows this but in case there are some other ignorant newbies like myself out there, DO NOT assume soft drink bottles are HDPE #2. Theyt might not be. While making another larger test batch of biodiesel tnight, I mixed my methoxide in a used plastic coke bottle...what a mistake...as the reaction began, the bottle began to leak all over the porch floor. Now fortunately the floor is concrete, adn is in an open air environment, so hopefully no harm done, but in othe rplaces it could have been quite a mess, or even dangerous, as nasty as that stuff is... My question is, have any of you guys ever had any acidents with the ingredients in biodiesel, any methoxide burns or symtoms of methanol poisoning. If you ever have a methoxide o or methanol spill(we'll assume outdoors) what's teh best way to clean it up with least hazard to myself and the environment. Thanks!
J.D.( newbie with no clue)

Methanol and NaOH are both highly soluble in water, so if nothing else can be washed off.

With a 'methoxide' spillage there are a few things to bear in mind:

1. it is quite caustic
2. it is highly flammable
3. methanol is a poison

Depending on where it happens, you could restict access until the methanol evaporates, ensure all sources of ignition are removed and subsequently mop up the residue. Good ventilation and zero access would be important though.

There are instant bunds available designed to limit the spread of spills - it might be useful to keep one of those in your work area. Failing that a bucket of sand, but then you would end up with very alcoholic sand.

H

I agree with HCR, but wish to add that NaOH is not good for water courses. Use a weak acid (vinegar) to neutralise the caustic before allowing run-off to enter the stormwater drains. AN indicator such as Phenol Red could be used to indicate approximate pH of 6 - 8, which should cause minimal harm.

Good point, I am deeply embarrassed not to have mentioned it myself, especially as it was only last week that I produced a minimum standards document for reedbed sewage treatment.

H

if your reed bed is in an acid soil the wash water would probably do more good than harm. Eventually CO2 from the air will neutralize it at no expense.

quote:

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Originally posted by neutral:
if your reed bed is in an acid soil the wash water would probably do more good than harm. Eventually CO2 from the air will neutralize it at no expense.

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As this spill was methanol/NaOH mixture, not wash water, I would recommend neutralising it in this case.

Well, now, that's a good point. I will add some vineagr to my biodiesel kit. It was a VEY small amount, which evaporated within a few minutes. As stated, it was outdoors and on a concrete surface, far from stormwater drains and any body of water. This brings about something else I was concerned about. Is methanol likely to evaporate before it winds up in a body of water. I try to be real careful with it, but always end up spilling a small amount. Thanks.