Methanol is miscible but is also lighter than water. Foam-water systems are usually preferred due to their ability to blanket the material and reduce the vapor release which is of significant concern. If you use water alone it's going to take considerably more water than if you use a foam-water system. Do you have an adequate water supply?
One thing to find out is exactly what you are dealing with in terms of the contaminated methanol. Since you know the end product is pure methanol, you may have other issues with the incoming material. The problem with water only when dealing with alcohols is some can still be flammable when mixed with water, you would have to know the dilution point where the mixture is no longer flammable. Again, another reason to blanket the material. Craig L. Prahl, CET Fire Protection CH2MHILL Lockwood Greene 1500 International Drive Spartanburg, SC 29304-0491 Direct - 864.599.4102 Fax - 864.599.8439 CH2MHILL Extension 74102 [email protected] -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of A.P.Silva Sent: Monday, January 24, 2011 6:42 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Methanol Building I'm looking at providing fire protection for a building (approx. 25' x 10' x 16' high), being used to purify methanol from a contaminated source. Has anyone come across using a standard wet system for this type of application before? What other system have been used? Any input will be appreciated. Tony _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum For Technical Assistance, send an email to: [email protected] To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[email protected] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field) _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum For Technical Assistance, send an email to: [email protected] To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[email protected] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field)
