Methanol Mix. Burn tests.

dbjb · 10-03-2011, 07:50 AM

Had some free time and decided to conduct a few tests.

Grabbed a medicine dropper, candle, matches, methanol & water.

Tested 100%, 80/20, and 50/50 mix by volume. First tested how quickly it would ignite and how long it would burn. Then, tested how easily spray would ignite.

Enjoy!

Brey335i · 10-03-2011, 07:58 AM

I like the family commenting in the back

I'm surprised you managed to light 50/50. Thought that wasn't supposed to happen.

NiVeDh · 10-03-2011, 09:55 AM

Nice video. Thanks for taking the time to do the tests. It's very informative.

Skydive · 10-03-2011, 10:15 AM

Neat.... but not particularly related to use cases and conditions or scenarios we encounter when using methanol in an automotive combustion injection agent application.

Perhaps we can think of a way to head some cast iron to 1300 degrees to see if the various dilutions will light on contact, without open flame.

dzenno · 10-03-2011, 10:49 AM

awesome man!

that's a great video...

one thing I'd like to mention is this shows open flame exposure which is very rare in a hot engine bay situation...it'd be nice if you had a heat source of some source, not open flame, and then applied meth to it as that'd reflect a typical hot engine bay/car situation better..

in any case, vid is much much appreciated, thanks!

AU335i · 10-03-2011, 12:38 PM

can our cars really heat up metal in the engine bay hotter than an open flame?

Jeff@TopGearSolutions · 10-03-2011, 12:42 PM

:adds water to mix: LOL

Thanks for the test

Skydive · 10-03-2011, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AU335i

can our cars really heat up metal in the engine bay hotter than an open flame?

Yes.

A candle flame can be relatively cool at 600 degrees Celcius. EGTs of 900-1300 degrees are not uncommon on a stock turbocharged car.

...but open flame is different than heat induced ignition.

-Michael

dzenno · 10-03-2011, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skydive

Yes.

A candle flame can be relatively cool at 600 degrees Fahrenheit. EGTs of 900-1300 degrees are not uncommon on a stock turbocharged car.

...but open flame is different than heat induced ignition.

-Michael

I really think that any reasonable spillage of meth on say even the hottest DPs would just basically evaporate and spill to the belly pan and drain before having a chance to create an actual flame...

in any case, I've always preferred and recommended a 50/50 mix

Skydive · 10-03-2011, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dzenno

I really think that any reasonable spillage of meth on say even the hottest DPs would just basically evaporate and spill to the belly pan and drain before having a chance to create an actual flame...

in any case, I've always preferred and recommended a 50/50 mix

I am inclined to agree with you, but I'm not going to guinea pig it on my manifold. ;-)

Sparky66 · 10-03-2011, 01:29 PM

That running water made me run to the toilet !!!!

dzenno · 10-03-2011, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skydive

I am inclined to agree with you, but I'm not going to guinea pig it on my manifold. ;-)

lol yes, not one of the things anyone should haha

Tzu · 10-03-2011, 01:59 PM

If anyone has a laser thermometer, I'll set up my oxy-acet torch on a plate and get some results. Some atomized spray would be of interest as well.

Elie335 · 10-03-2011, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dzenno

lol yes, not one of the things anyone should haha

dzenno, please check your PM, sorry OP for

Syndicategt · 10-03-2011, 04:59 PM

Good video Dan...try not to burn down the house

dbjb · 10-03-2011, 09:02 PM

Thanks all. I realize this wasn't exactly scientific, probably more entertaining. Although, I did expect 50/50 spray to ignite. It was interesting that even the 80/20 mix really didn't ignite until it rested on the candle.

I think another test like Skydive suggests would be beneficial. I have a tire pyrometer but a laser pyrometer would be the way to go.

10-03-2011, 07:50 AM	#1
dbjb I sweat pheromones 206 Rep 2,103 Posts Drives: e92 335i, retired SLK55 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: NorCal iTrader: (25)	Methanol Mix. Burn tests. Had some free time and decided to conduct a few tests. Grabbed a medicine dropper, candle, matches, methanol & water. Tested 100%, 80/20, and 50/50 mix by volume. First tested how quickly it would ignite and how long it would burn. Then, tested how easily spray would ignite. Enjoy!
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10-03-2011, 07:58 AM	#2
Brey335i Banned 113 Rep 4,771 Posts Drives: e46 ///M3 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (11)	I like the family commenting in the back I'm surprised you managed to light 50/50. Thought that wasn't supposed to happen.
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10-03-2011, 09:55 AM	#3
NiVeDh Major General 422 Rep 8,003 Posts Drives: '08 E90 335i, '99 E36 M3 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Houston, TX & Atlanta, GA iTrader: (132) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i Sedan [8.66]	Nice video. Thanks for taking the time to do the tests. It's very informative.
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10-03-2011, 10:15 AM	#4
Skydive First Lieutenant 5 Rep 300 Posts Drives: '07 E90 335i Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	Neat.... but not particularly related to use cases and conditions or scenarios we encounter when using methanol in an automotive combustion injection agent application. Perhaps we can think of a way to head some cast iron to 1300 degrees to see if the various dilutions will light on contact, without open flame. __________________ DD: 2007 BMW 335i Sedan Weekends: 2004 Porsche 911 C4S Last edited by Skydive; 10-03-2011 at 11:02 AM..
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10-03-2011, 10:49 AM	#5
dzenno Banned 273 Rep 5,876 Posts Drives: Join Date: Feb 2006 iTrader: (1)	awesome man! that's a great video... one thing I'd like to mention is this shows open flame exposure which is very rare in a hot engine bay situation...it'd be nice if you had a heat source of some source, not open flame, and then applied meth to it as that'd reflect a typical hot engine bay/car situation better.. in any case, vid is much much appreciated, thanks!
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10-03-2011, 12:38 PM	#6
AU335i Captain 78 Rep 887 Posts Drives: 2008 335i E92 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Auburn, AL iTrader: (3)	can our cars really heat up metal in the engine bay hotter than an open flame?
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10-03-2011, 12:42 PM	#7
Jeff@TopGearSolutions 3442 Rep 79,211 Posts Drives: C6 Z06, 09 335i, 10 335xi Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: www.TopGearSolutions.com iTrader: (37)	:adds water to mix: LOL Thanks for the test
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10-03-2011, 01:29 PM	#11
Sparky66 Major 60 Rep 1,230 Posts Drives: 335 E92 Coupe. Jet Black. Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia iTrader: (0)	That running water made me run to the toilet !!!! __________________ Sticky is an Idiot
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10-03-2011, 01:59 PM	#13
Tzu Lieutenant Colonel 29 Rep 1,551 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	If anyone has a laser thermometer, I'll set up my oxy-acet torch on a plate and get some results. Some atomized spray would be of interest as well.
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10-03-2011, 04:59 PM	#15
Syndicategt Brigadier General 156 Rep 3,730 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Nor Cal iTrader: (11)	Good video Dan...try not to burn down the house __________________ 2008 BMW 335i e90 - Sold - Rob Beck Turbos / PROcede V5 / Aquamist HFS-4 / AR Downpipes / AE Exhaust / ER Comp FMIC / ER CP / TiAL BOV / Custom Intake / RPI Scoops / Quaife LSD / Swift-Koni Coilovers / DSS HS / Morr VS8.2 Sig Black / Michelin PSS / P3 Boost Guage / M3 body / M3 steering wheel / Adam's Rotors / Hawk HPS / SS lines /
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10-03-2011, 09:02 PM	#16
dbjb I sweat pheromones 206 Rep 2,103 Posts Drives: e92 335i, retired SLK55 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: NorCal iTrader: (25)	Thanks all. I realize this wasn't exactly scientific, probably more entertaining. Although, I did expect 50/50 spray to ignite. It was interesting that even the 80/20 mix really didn't ignite until it rested on the candle. I think another test like Skydive suggests would be beneficial. I have a tire pyrometer but a laser pyrometer would be the way to go.
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