ASTM E346-08 - 15.12.2008
 
Significance and Use

These test methods are suitable for manufacturing control and for determining compliance with specification limits for the properties designated by the test methods. For those test methods that use the procedure given in other ASTM methods, those test methods should be consulted for additional information on the significance, use, and possible interferences.

 
1. Scope

1.1 These test methods cover chemical and physical tests for measuring the quality of methanol and appear in the following order:

Sections

Purity of Reagents

4

Safety Precautions

5

Sampling

6

Acidity

7 to 9

Carbonizables

10 to 18

Color

19 to 21

Distillation Range

22 to 24

Permanganate Time

25 to 27

Specific Gravity

28 to 30

Water

31 to 33

Water Miscibility

34 to 37

Ethanol

37 to 47

Acetone

48 to 55

Trimethylamine

56 to 65

1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.3 Review the current Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for detailed information concerning toxicity, first aid procedures and safety precautions for the chemicals used in this standard.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific hazards statements are given in Sections 5 and 15 and in 16.1, 16.4, and 52.2.2.

10.1 This test method describes a procedure for detecting the presence of impurities in methanol that carbonize or darken in the presence of concentrated sulfuric acid. The test method is applicable to methanol having a carbonizables content in the range from 0 to 70 on the platinum-cobalt scale (see Test Method D 1209).

37.1 This test method is applicable to methanol in which the ethanol content is between 0 and 1000 μg/g.

48.1 This test method covers a procedure for detecting the presence of acetone in methyl alcohol (methanol) in amounts greater than 0.003 weight % mass (m/m) .

56.1 This test method is used to determine the trimethylamine (TMA) content of refined methanol in the range of 10 to 100 μg/kg.

56.2 The odor of methanol has been determined to be caused primarily by the impurity TMA. The determination of TMA and its relationship to odor will eliminate the need to sniff methanol to determined odor, avoiding exposure to this toxic chemical. Although TMA has been identified as the principal cause of odor, other compounds (amines, ethers) may contribute to odor.

 
2. Referenced Documents

E203-24

Standard Test Method for Water Using Volumetric Karl Fischer Titration

E300-03(2022)

Standard Practice for Sampling Industrial Chemicals

E1140-95(2017)

Standard Practice for Testing Nitrogen/Phosphorus Thermionic Ionization Detectors for Use In Gas Chromatography

D1193-06(2018)

Standard Specification for Reagent Water

D1209-05(2019)

Standard Test Method for Color of Clear Liquids (Platinum-Cobalt Scale)

D1078-11(2019)

Standard Test Method for Distillation Range of Volatile Organic Liquids

D1613-17(2023)

Standard Test Method for Acidity in Volatile Solvents and Chemical Intermediates Used in Paint, Varnish, Lacquer, and Related Products

D1722-09(2023)

Standard Test Method for Water Miscibility of Water-Soluble Solvents

E180-03

Standard Practice for Determining the Precision of ASTM Methods for Analysis and Testing of Industrial and Specialty Chemicals (Withdrawn 2009)

D891-18

Standard Test Methods for Specific Gravity, Apparent, of Liquid Industrial Chemicals

D1363-06(2019)

Standard Test Method for Permanganate Time of Acetone and Methanol