Cost of methanol??

[Oscarpop]

Was looking at those EFOS fuel cells online which look like a very good way of powering our electrical needs.

However the methanol to power them is extortionate.

something like £70 for 5 litres. Surely Methanol is pence to manufacture and the rest is profiteering, or have I ( once again ) got this wrong.

Also, does anyone have experience of the EFOS fuel cells, and can you just source your own methanol?


Many thanks

 

[nigelmercier]

Also, does anyone have experience of the EFOS fuel cells, and can you just source your own methanol?

I don't have any experience of the fuel cells, but I know a source of methanol if anyone needs it.

[Later] I've emailed him after getting a couple of PMs, hopefully he will respond to the thread.

Over to you JC ...

 

[prv]

I don't know about that specific make of fuel cell, but last time the topic came up the cell in question accepted only pre-packaged "pods" of fuel made by the manufacturer. The reason given was to preserve the very high purity of the liquid, which would be compromised if people were keeping it in jerrycans and tipping them into an open tank.

Pete

 

[libertyman]

The methanol needs to be 100% pure otherwise you void the warranty. The cost of the EFOY product includes the cartridge which is clearly a bit more expensive than a typical plastic bottle. I don't know whether it would be possible to refill the cartridge without compromising the integrity of the seal.

However, I don't recognise the figure of £70 for 5 litres, you can buy 2 x 10 litre packs for £78. Also worth ringing round the local caravan dealers as they are sometimes prepared to do a deal.

 

[vyv_cox]

I Googled 'pure methanol' and found a chemicals supplier who will sell you 200 litres for £227, including VAT. http://mistralni.co.uk/products/methanol-virgin-grade

 

[Boo2]

However the methanol to power them is extortionate.

something like £70 for 5 litres.

If you are near Tonbridge then Southern Modelcraft sell methanol at £6 per UK gallon (4.54l). They don't ship though.

Hth

 

[elton]

They'll tell you the methanol needs to be 100% pure, but that's just to justify the price. There's no such thing as "100% pure". But there are varying degrees of purity, and it needs to be fairly pure in order to get a reasonable lifetime out of the catalyst. As others have said, shop around.

 

[nigelmercier]

There's no such thing as "100% pure"...

Quite. Apart from some of the BS one reads on here

 

[markstraker]

Methanol

Hello Fuelcell people
Methanol 99%min is available commercially in 25litre non return drums. I sell it for domestic biodiesel manufacturers also for running the JAP engine race cars. It is the same quality is used in Fuel cells. You must be careful with the stuff; it is classified as Toxic. Safety data available on request.

 

[pvb]

As I recall, the fuel supplied in the cartridges is a mixture of methanol and water. I believe the ratio of these ingredients is about 60% methanol by weight, but the ratio differs slightly according to the fuel cell. But, regardless, it's certain that the cartridges are way too expensive - rather like inkjet cartridges!

 

[AntarcticPilot]

As I recall, the fuel supplied in the cartridges is a mixture of methanol and water. I believe the ratio of these ingredients is about 60% methanol by weight, but the ratio differs slightly according to the fuel cell. But, regardless, it's certain that the cartridges are way too expensive - rather like inkjet cartridges!

And you can bet your bottom dollar that if your expensive fuel cell stopped working and it came to light you'd used alternative supplies of fuel, they'd void any warranty you had.

The economics of these things just don't work out at present, and probably won't until they find a) a cheaper material for the cells, b) much higher outputs, c) longer life and d) less fussy about their fuel.

 

[nigelmercier]

Methanol 99%min is available commercially in 25litre non return drums. I sell it for domestic biodiesel manufacturers also for running the JAP engine race cars. It is the same quality is used in Fuel cells. You must be careful with the stuff; it is classified as Toxic. Safety data available on request.

I think this is my mate that I mentioned above, he couldn't remember his login details. He would be a good source, as he runs a chemical wholesale company.