Supermetanol, C.A.

RIF. J-00354697-6

METHANOL REFERENCE SPECIFICATION

SUPERMETANOL C.A.

Complejo Petroquímico de Oriente - Planta Supermetanol, C.A. – Jose - Estado Anzoátegui - Venezuela
Supermetanol, C.A August, 2009

PRODUCT SPECIFICATION

Product: Methanol, also known as methyl alcohol.

Molecular Formula: CH3OH (often abbreviated MeOH).
Molecular Weight: 32,042 /Kmol
Kg

Degree of Purity %= 99,85 (IMPCA Reference Specification)

Percentage of main impurities (significant):
1. Ethanol = 0,001%
2. Acetone = 0,003%
3. Water = 0,1%
4. Acetic Acid = 0,003%

IMPCA REFERENCE SPECIFICATION

The methanol to produce SUPERMETANOL, C.A, is determinate by the IMPCA specification

(International Methanol Producers & Consumers Association) and ASTM standards test
methods.

ITEM LIMIT METHOD

Clear and free of Suspended
Appearance IMPCA 003-98
matter

Purity % WT on Dry Basis Min 99.85% IMPCA 001-02

Acetone, mg/Kg Max 30 IMPCA 001-02

Ethanol Max 50 IMPCA 001-02

Water % W/W Max 0,1 ASTM E 1064-08

Max 1,0 ºC to include

Distillation Range at 760 mmHg ASTM D 1078-05
64,6 º ± 0,1 º

Colour PT-CO Max 5 ASTM D 1209-05 E1

Potassium Permanganate Time

Min 60 minutes ASTM D 1363-06
test at 15 ºC, minutes

Acidity as Acetic Acid mg/Kg Max 30 ASTM D 1613-06

Non Volatile Matter mg/1000ml Max 8 ASTM D 1353-03

Hydrocarbons Pass Test ASTM D 1722-04

Supermetanol, C.A August, 2009

ANALYTICAL METHODS DESCRIPTION

1. Purity of Methanol. Method IMPCA 001-02

1.1 Scope.
This method describes a procedure for the determination of the purity and
impurities (e.g. acetone, ethanol) of Methanol.

1.2 Method Sumary.

Internal standard is added to the sample and subsequently the major impurities
are identified and quantified by GC/FID. The purity on dry basis is calculated.

2. Appearance of Methanol. Method IMPCA 003-98

2.1 Scope.
This Method is for the uniform description of the appearance of methanol by visual
inspection.

2.2 Method Sumary.

A sample, in a clean, clear and colourless glass bottle is inspected for the presence
of visual contamination.

3. Water % W/W. Method ASTM E 1064-08

3.1 Scope.
This test method covers the determination of water from 0 to 2.0 % mass in most
liquid organic chemicals, with Karl Fischer reagent, using an automated
coulometric titration procedure. Use of this test method is not applicable for
liquefied gas products such as Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG), Butane, Propane,
Liquid Natural Gas (LNG), etc.

3.2 Referenced Documents

- ASTM D1193 Specification for Reagent Water.
- ASTM E 180 Practice for Determining the Precision of ASTM Methods for Analysis
and Testing of Industrial and Specialty Chemicals.
- ASTM E 203 Test Method for Water Using Volumetric Karl Fischer Titration.

4. Distillation Range. Method ASTM D 1078-05

This test method provides a method of measurement of distillation range of volatile

organic liquids. The relative volatility of organic liquids can be used with other tests
for identification and measurement of quality. Therefore, this test method provides a
test procedure for assessing compliance with a specification.
This test method also provides an empirical value of residue, solvent recovery
capacity, and loss (or non-recovery) on heating. Organic liquids are used as solvents
in many chemical processes. As the relative volatility, residual matter and recovery
capability affect the efficiency of these processes, this test method is useful in
manufacturing control.
Supermetanol, C.A August, 2009

4.1 Scope.
This test method covers the determination of the distillation range of liquids
boiling between 30 and 350ºC, that are chemically stable during the distillation
process, by manual or automatic distillation procedures.
This test method is applicable to organic liquids such as hydrocarbons, oxygenated
compounds, chemical intermediates, and blends thereof. For purposes of
determining conformance of an observed or a calculated value using this test
method to relevant specifications, test result(s) shall be rounded off "to the
nearest unit" in the last right-hand digit used in expressing the specification limit,
in accordance with the rounding-off method of Practice ASTM E 29.

4.2 Referenced Documents.

- ASTM D86 Test Method for Distillation of Petroleum Products at Atmospheric
Pressure.
- ASTM E1 Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers.
- ASTM E133 Specification for Distillation Equipment.
- ASTM E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine
Conformance with Specifications.
- ASTM E299 Test Method for Trace Amounts of Peroxides In Organic Solvents.

5. Colour PT-CO. Method ASTM D 1209-05.

The property of color of a solvent varies in importance with the application for which
it is intended, the amount of color that can be tolerated being dependent on the color
characteristics of the material in which it is used. The paint, varnish, and lacquer
solvents, or diluents commercially available on today's market normally have little or
no color. The presence or absence of color in such material is an indication of the
degree of refinement to which the solvent has been subjected or of the cleanliness of
the shipping or storage container in which it is handled, or both.

5.1 Scope
This test method describes a procedure for the visual measurement of the color of
essentially light colored liquids (Note 1). It is applicable only to materials in which
the color-producing bodies present have light absorption characteristics nearly
identical with those of the platinum-cobalt color standards used.
Note 1—A procedure for estimating color of darker liquids, described for soluble
nitrocellulose base solutions, is given in Guide ASTM D 365.

6. Acidity as Acetic Acid. Method ASTM D 1613-06.

6.1 Scope.
This test method covers the determination of total acidity as acetic acid, in
concentrations below 0.05 %, in organic compounds and hydrocarbon mixtures
used in paint, varnish, and lacquer solvents and diluents. It is known to be
applicable to such mixtures as low molecular weight saturated and unsaturated
alcohols, ketones, ethers, esters, hydrocarbon diluents, naphtha, and other light
distillate petroleum fractions.

6.2 Referenced Documents.

- ASTM D1193 Specification for Reagent Water.
- ASTM D770 Specification for Isopropyl Alcohol.
Supermetanol, C.A August, 2009

- ASTM E200 Practice for Preparation, Standardization, and Storage of Standard

and Reagent Solutions for Chemical Analysis.
- ASTM E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine
Conformance with Specifications.

7. Non Volatile Matter. Method ASTM D 1353-03.

This test method describes the analytical measurement of residual matter in solvents
that are intended to be 100 % volatile at 105 ± 5°C. Volatile solvents are used in the
manufacture of paint, varnish, lacquer, and other related products, and the presence
of any residue may affect the product quality or efficiency of the process. This test
method is useful in manufacturing control and assessing compliance with
specifications.

7.1 Scope.
This test method covers the determination of the nonvolatile matter in volatile
solvents for use in paint, varnish, lacquer, and related products.
The following applies to all specified limits in this standard; for purposes of
determining conformance with this standard, an observed value or a calculated
value shall be rounded off “to the nearest unit” in the last right-hand digit used in
expressing the specification limit, in accordance with the rounding-off method of
Practice ASTM E 29.

7.2 Referenced Documents.

- ASTM E180 Practice for Determining the Precision of ASTM Methods for Analysis
and Testing of Industrial and Specialty Chemicals.
- ASTM E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine
Conformance with Specifications.
- ASTM E299 Test Method for Trace Amounts of Peroxides In Organic Solvents.

8. Hydrocarbons. Method ASTM D 1722-04.

Water-insoluble materials present in a solvent expected to be completely water

miscible may interfere with many uses of the solvent. This test method provides a
measure of the miscibility of water-soluble solvents with a polar medium-water. It also
provides a qualitative indication of the presence or absence of water-immiscible
contaminants.
The results of this test method may be used in assessing compliance with a
specification. Prior to agreeing to this test method as the basis of a specification
requirement, it may be desirable that the interpretation of what constitutes cloudiness
or turbidity be agreed upon between the supplier and the purchaser.

8.1 Scope.
This test method covers the determination of the miscibility of water-soluble
solvents with water. While written specifically for testing acetone, isopropyl
alcohol (isopropanol), and methyl alcohol (methanol), the method is suitable for
testing most water-soluble solvents.
This test method serves to detect water-immiscible contaminants qualitatively; the
level of detection of these impurities varies widely with both the type of solvent
and the type of impurity.
The level of detection of water-insoluble materials depends upon the solvent
tested and the type of impurity or impurities present, that is paraffin, olefin,
Supermetanol, C.A August, 2009

aromatic, high molecular weight alcohol, or ketone, etc. There is, therefore, no
specific level of impurity detected by this procedure.
Note 1— This test method is normally performed at ambient, but other
temperatures may be used as specified by the consumer and supplier.

8.2 Referenced Documents.

- ASTM D1193 Specification for Reagent Water.