I found these gasoline/racing fuel pumps on the web.
I am wondering if any one has any idea on how safe these to use with Methanol. And if they are good enough for methoxide mixing say 5-10 gallons of methoxide. Most of these are rated at around 120 GPH, which is 2 GPM. That should circulate about 10 gallon tank of methanol in about 5 minutes. I am hoping If I run this with an inline static mixer for say about 5-10 minutes. That should get me a good level of mixing for the methoxide.

http://store.yahoo.com/gofast/elfuelpum.html
http://www.cpperformance.com/detail.aspx?ID=3677

Does this make sense.

I am looking for 2 uses.
1. to mix methoxide by circulation through an inline static mixer pipe.
2. to pump methanol into the methoxide mixing tank from a methanol storage tank.

Thanks,
Sarvi

I would also be interested in a pump for methanol transfer from my stock barrels. Syphoning and/or forced air displacement gets sketchy near the bottom of the barrel!

Sarvi, you don't necessarily need to aggressively mix the methoxide. If your methanol is not too cold the caustic will dissolve with gentle agitation in about 30 minutes. I have a tall 15 gallon barrel that I rock gently and then stir the bottom with a stick while we fill the reactor tank. You may be able to save yourself a few bucks here if you only need a 10 gal methoxide tank.

If you read Girl Mark's posts, she gets her methanol in the 5 gallon carboys that are used for methoxide mixing.... no pump needed.

Regards,
Farmer

http://store.summitracing.com/default.asp?Ntt=fuel+pump...search.asp&x=45&y=16

you need a pump like this. it MUST be rated for alcohol.

What I am trying to build is just a small prototype. Want everything automatated eventually. So hand mixing is not an option.

Sarvi

You'd have to look into it a bit more, although they claim their pumps are "chemical resistant" and many are equiped with Viton valves and parts. I have one of these but do not use it for methanol. An email to them about this specific chemical application should yield the desired result.
http://www.shurflo.com/pages/new_industrial/Industrial/...eries_diaphragm.html

quote:

Originally posted by Saravanan Shanmugham:
I found these gasoline/racing fuel pumps on the web.
I am wondering if any one has any idea on how safe these to use with Methanol. And if they are good enough for methoxide mixing say 5-10 gallons of methoxide. Most of these are rated at around 120 GPH, which is 2 GPM. That should circulate about 10 gallon tank of methanol in about 5 minutes. I am hoping If I run this with an inline static mixer for say about 5-10 minutes. That should get me a good level of mixing for the methoxide.

http://store.yahoo.com/gofast/elfuelpum.html
http://www.cpperformance.com/detail.aspx?ID=3677

Does this make sense.

I am looking for 2 uses.
1. to mix methoxide by circulation through an inline static mixer pipe.
2. to pump methanol into the methoxide mixing tank from a methanol storage tank.

Thanks,
Sarvi

While the fuel pumps are rated fro methanol, they are NOT rated for KOH of NaOH. They will fail rapidly if used for pumping methoxide.

I've used an air powered beverage pump for over a year without problem

I burn methanol in my race car so I have some experience in regards to the pumps.

In my experience, even the pumps rated for methanol will fail prematurely if you leave the methanol set in them.

You can use a cheapy $30 electric fuel pump from Autozone if you are willing to flush it out when you are done and leaving the system set overnight or longer.

I don't see any reason why you couldn't use it (cheapy Autozone pump) for pumping methoxide if again you are willing to flush it out.

I now use a belt driven pump for my race car because of my new induction system but for either all you need to do is squirt a little wd40 into the pump and it will clean and lubricate the pump and seals.

Maybe someone else can pipe in about weather or not there are any comtamination issues with using wd-40. You don't need very much. About an ounce or less will do.

I hope that helps...


Wayne

Hi Ant,
II din't realize how an air-operated pump works.

Can you tell me what size compressor i would need approx. for mxing 3-5 gallons of methoxide and cirulate/agitate/mix around 20 gallons of oil/methoxide.

Would a compressor like the ones below
http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/diy_main/pg_...fdfgidgkg.0&MID=9876
http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/diy_main/pg_...fdfgidgkg.0&MID=9876

be powerfull enough to pump liquids and possibly create pressure/vaccum using a venturi pumps.

I couldn't find the air operated pump you mentioned for $10 ebay. any pointers/links.

Thx,
Sarvi

your links lead to some big gennies.

The pumps dont take a lot of air. Almost any compressor will work. I have even used a 12v tyre inflater pump to pump bio (slowly) with them in a pinch.

four for $25

These arent the best (biggest) ones but will give you an idea of what I'm on about.

Dear Ant,

Could you give me an approximate flow rate in liters/min for the beverage pump(s)?

Finest regards,

troy

well it depends which one you get and how much air you feed it but pumping methoxide you can get about 25L a minute out of mine running on a small workshop air compressor.