HIGHSTRUT

Is there a method for removing moisture from a gal. jug of glow fuel? If not is it advisable to work it in good fuel in percentage amounts? I burn 15% nitro and fly 3d.
Bob

lems

My Feedback: (20)

I think fuel with moisture makes good weed killer, but terrible model fuel.

Karl M.

Bob,

The only way to remove the moisture from fuel is to place the whole container
with fuel in the freezer for about 3 days. After that take it out and drain off the
fuel into a clean container. All you will have left in the bottom is the moisture
in the form of ice that was in your fuel.

Karl M.

Karl M.

Bob,

The only way to remove the moisture from fuel is to place the whole container
with fuel in the freezer for about 3 days. After that take it out and drain off the
fuel into a clean container. All you will have left in the bottom is the moisture
in the form of ice that was in your fuel.

Karl M.

HIGHSTRUT

Thanks Karl M.
The fuel is now in the freezer, in 3 days I'll drain it clean,hoping for good results. By the way the plastic jug collapsed somewhat, is that normal?
Bob

sweetpea01

My Feedback: (10)

would make sense.......as air condenses......and so forth....and since you most likely kept the top on......that would do it.

Diablo-RCU

My Feedback: (1)

I think you're wasting your time with the freezer. Put a bottle of vodka in the freezer next to your bottle of fuel. The vodka contains over 50% water and the rest is ethanol. Wait a day. Why isn't the vodka bottle now half full of ice? Fuel with water in it should be thrown away, no cost effective way to save it.

scott428

Highstrut,

Just run it back through your still.....Wait, thats something else! Never mind!...[X(]

Scott

HIGHSTRUT

Scott
Tried that, my still is now contaminated with 15% nitro, and the fuel is now contaminated with gin.My Hype 3d and Funtana now stagger down the runway on takeoff, they fly crazy in the air(manuevers I never dreamed of);and they for some reason can't find the runway when landing. Can't wait until the fuel is burned up,I'm sure both planes will sober up in time.
For the record the above is not true,LOL.

lems

My Feedback: (20)

Actually I am very curious to learn if Karl's solution worked. My chenistry says that Diablo is correct: your freezer is not cold enough to crystalize the water. But, I have been wrong before . How did it work?

HIGHSTRUT

I removed the gal. from the freezer,poured it through a fine screen to a new bottle and found no signs of frozen droplets or a sheet of ice at the bottom of the jug. I'll try the fuel again, just for curiousity,don'tcha know I'm on a fixed income.

patternrules

My Feedback: (6)

I was told by a chemical engineer that the droplets you see on the sides of the fuel jug is actually alcohol not water kinda like the reference to a still, if you have kept it sealed at all times, I use a return so the jug has minimal exposure to the air.
Steve Maxwell

AdrianM

I R/C Report's motor guy did some tests a few months ago to dispel the myth of how badly moisture effects fuel. He took fresh fuel and added an ounce at a time to a gallon of fuel until the test engine started running poorly. I recall him getting to 10% water in the fuel before he started noticing a reaction from the engine. At 20% water he stopped the test. The engine was still running albeit poorly.

That said water is non combustible so its certainly not good but I think guys that are tossing fuel if they see condensation are overreacting. I you are a competition pilot don't take chances use the fuel for sport flying but don't throw it away.

lems

My Feedback: (20)

I don't think I would use fuel with moisture in anything but a plain bearing engine. I would be concerned about rusting the bearings of a ball bearing engine.

AdrianM

When the engine is running the water will remain in its vapor state. The oil in your fuel will protect the internals just fine. If you run your engine dry at the end of the day it you are all set.

HIGHSTRUT

I e-mailed a well known fuel manufacturer with this question and they responded with, "No, there is not way."

Another manufacturer stated not to empty the fuel from the tank to your container at the end of the flying session. this can cause moisture build up in your fuel.

Bob

bla bla

Well, the normal freezer's plenty cold enough to do the ol' Vodka bottle trick.
Certainly was when I was a student! And for those on a budget... it works with wine. Yippee!

Dr Nitro

Once water is absorbed by methanol, it can only be removed by a molecular seive.

As for the magazine article stating water contamination in fuel can still allow engines to run: Yes, they can still run with a considerable amount of water in the fuel, however, the reliability becomes an issue even with a very small amount of water in the fuel.

xrboss

When they did the water in the fuel test, the motor ran badly when the amount of water actually turned the methanol fuel off white.

Imac Kiwi

Any water in the fuel KILLS bearings, ask me how I know.