3.7.9 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council Page 1

Occasionally, marketer personnel will need to add methanol (anhydrous methyl alcohol) to ASME tanks. Because methanol attaches itself to water molecules and keeps the water from freezing when the propane vaporizes, it is used as a drying agent to prevent blockage of vapor pressure regulators or controls. Methanol also moves with the water through the appliance burners and because it is flammable, causes no operating problems to customers’ regulators and appliances.

In this module you will learn to:

1. Identify procedures for injecting methanol into DOT IM tanks

3.7.9Identifying Procedures for

Injecting Methanol into DOT Intermodal (IM) Tanks

3.7.9 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council Page 1

Identifying Procedures for Injecting Methanol into DOT IM Tanks

Characteristics of Methanol:

• Methanol is poisonous and should never come in contact with your skin, eyes, or mouth

• Methanol vapors in confined spaces have an effect similar to ether—breathing

methanol that is soaked into clothing or spilled in the warm, tightly closed cab of your vehicle can make you drowsy, or in high concentration, you could become unconscious

• When transported, methanol containers must be secured in approved containers in external vehicle toolboxes, secured in racks, or placed in protected areas on the bed or cargo area of a service truck. Methanol cannot be transported in any area occupied by people, or any unprotected area where the container cannot be secured

You should always wear gloves and chemical splash protective face shields or goggles whenever you handle, pour or transfer methanol from one container to another.

3.7.9 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council Page 1

Identifying Procedures for Injecting Methanol into DOT IM Tanks

Characteristics of Methanol:

• Methanol is highly flammable. When poured in a small container for use, the container must be an approved flammable liquid container with a flame arrester rating and equipped with a self-closing and sealing spout.

• Methanol fires are difficult to see. Methanol, ethanol and ethers usually do not produce a visible flame or smoke when they burn.

• When transferring methanol from a drum to a small container, the container must be electrically bonded by the use of an approved electrically conductive cable and clamp. The larger container must be electrically grounded to a ground rod, grid or ground manifold (gas piping should never be used for electrical grounding).

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Characteristics of Methanol:

• When methanol is poured into liquid propane loading hoses, it may produce a geyser of propane and methanol that will blow out of the hose opening and soak the people nearby. Methanol tends to make any liquid that is near its boiling point (such as propane, -44° F at atmospheric pressure)--flash vaporize, and quickly re-pressurize the hose.

• Finally, methanol is an aggressive solvent. It easily removes paint from finished surfaces. It can dissolve seals and gaskets used in some automotive and industrial controls. Therefore, methanol is used sparingly and only when required.

Identifying Procedures for Injecting Methanol into DOT IM Tanks

3.7.9 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council Page 2

Storing and Handling Methanol• Never leave methanol in a propane transfer hose for an extended period of time.

Methanol dissolves the “plasticizers” used in the bonding and curing of hose components. This may weaken the hose walls, causing separation of the material, bubbling, bulges and eventually—a hose rupture.

• Never fill a methanol container 100% liquid full.

Identifying Procedures for Injecting Methanol into DOT IM Tanks

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Injecting Methanol into New Vacuum-Purged Containers• The negative pressure (less than atmospheric pressure) shown on the gauge

(Figure 1) indicates that the tank is leak-free and that methanol can be introduced into the tank by suction (Figure 2)

Identifying Procedures for Injecting Methanol into DOT IM Tanks

Figure 1. New Vacuum Purged UG Tank Figure 2. Vacuum Transfer of Methanol

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• In order to avoid air entering the tank during the methanol transfer, the hose in the methanol container must go all the way to the bottom of the container and the service valve on the tank should be closed before the methanol level gets to the level of the hose opening .

• After the methanol is transferred into the tank, the tank is pressurized with propane vapor (Figure 3). All valves should be closed after the tank is pressurized and the manufacturer applied shrink-wrap plastic should then be removed from the tank valves to indicate that the tank is pressurized with LP-gas.

Identifying Procedures for Injecting Methanol into DOT IM Tanks

Injecting Methanol into New Vacuum-Purged Containers

Figure 3. Pressurizing New Vacuum Purged ASME Tank With Propane Vapor

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• The tank is filled with liquid propane after it is installed at a customer location (Figure 4).

Identifying Procedures for Injecting Methanol into DOT IM Tanks

Injecting Methanol into New Vacuum-Purged Containers

Figure 4. Filling Underground Tank with Liquid After Installation

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Identifying Procedures for Injecting Methanol into DOT IM Tanks

Injecting Methanol into Pressurized Containers

Step 1: Inspect the short hose that will be used to inject the methanol and be sure it is free of hose rejection criteria defects.

Step 2: Pull the CTMV delivery hose end to the receiving tank and place it within arms reach of the filler valve.

Step 3: Attach the female ACME adapter of the short hose to the filler valve of the receiving container and tighten to seal the connection.

Step 4: Fill the short hose section with methanol, holding the hose end up and being careful not to spill or splash the methanol .

You should always wear gloves and chemical splash protective face shields or goggles whenever you handle, pour or transfer methanol from one container to another.

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Identifying Procedures for Injecting Methanol into DOT IM Tanks

Injecting Methanol into Pressurized Containers

Step 5: Attach the male ACME adapter to the delivery hose end valve

adapter and seal it to ensure methanol and propane will not leak out under pressure when the delivery hose end valve is opened.

Step 6: Slowly open the delivery hose end valve. If there is not sufficient propane pressure in the hose to open the receiving container filler valve, use the CTMV pump to transfer a few gallons of propane into the receiving container.

Step 7: Close the hose end valve and partially loosen the short hose section from the container filler valve, allowing the propane to vent until and the hose is de-pressurized .

Step 8: Remove the short hose section from the filler valve and the delivery hose end valve.

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Identifying Procedures for Injecting Methanol into DOT IM Tanks

Injecting Methanol into Pressurized Containers

Step 9: Inspect the short hose section and the portion of the delivery hose deployed for the transfer.

Step 10: Properly stow and secure the hoses and the methanol container.

3.7.9 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council Pages 6 - 8

Time to See If You Got the Key Points of This Module…

• Complete the Review on page 6 & 7.

• See if you are ready for the Certification Exam by checking off the performance criteria on page 8.