Is it considered acceptable to use a steel tank as a container for the methoxide mixture? I am thinking of using an air compressor tank as a vessel for methoxide delivery for a reactor I'm working on. I know the methanol is OK in a steel container, but how about when it is mixed with the KOH lye?

SteveM

KOH is listed as a class 8 corrosive. It will eventually eat through a steel tank. Stainless steel is ok though.

Jet
-depends on how much time the corrosive mixture is sitting in the tank. my steel methoxid tank (converted propane tank) is almost 6 years old and no signs of any corrosion. I make new methoxid for each batch, and process over 7000 ltrs a year, 160 ltr at a time. Tom

Steel stands up to alkalies, but not to acids. It's OK.