Methanol over 5$ a gallon

[KWilkinson]

Well I ran out of methanol for my biodiesel processor so I jetted down to Phoenix to Western States Petroleum for some more. Price bulk is like 4$ somethin and if you buy a barrel of it its just over 5$ a gallon plus your barrel deposits. Was talking to their commercial sales guy and he said the price has gone way up because of the fighting between Argentina and I think he said Chile. I guess Argentina is the largest producer of methanol, and isnt shipping much. Anyone know more about this?

 

[TBurow]

too bad you couldnt ues ethanol, isnt methanol just a form of alcahol? seems like it would be easier to get and cheaper. but i dont know enough about making bio to be helpful here.

 

[JoeBioDiesel]

You can use ethanol, but it is generally more expenseive. The real downside is that the Biodiesel reaction become very sensitive to water. If the veg oil is not perfectly dry, you'll make more soap than Bio.

Joe

 

[KWilkinson]

Ethanol is very sensitive... however have you guys seen the new Biodiesel magazine, december 07 issue yet? They found a way to produce ethanol from glycerin... pretty neat