[pct-l] SCAQMD Rule 1143 & Denatured Alcohol Question

[Greg Mikol]

Donna--

I reading from the rule, as published here:

http://www.aqmd.gov/rules/reg/reg11/r1143.pdf

With amendments through 3 Dec 2010. Specifically, I'm basing my comments 
on R1143(a)(2), wihch seems to exclude products that display specific 
end-use instructions, functions or specifications.

First, I don't think that Esbit or solid-type fuels are affected. 
They're solid, so they don't evaporate. I also don't think sterno or MSR 
type canisters would be affected, since they only have a non-solvent 
end-use.

My guess is that because denatured alcohol has both solvent and 
non-solvent end-uses, is where it gets a little cloudy, and I suspect 
that no distributor or re-seller wants to take a chance. I don't see any 
penalties specified in Rule 1143, but I suspect they may be steep.

As a practical matter, even if denatured alcohol specifically labeled as 
"marine fuel" or "stove fuel" is not covered by this rule, if no 
distributor is willing to sell it to your hardware store, it doesn't 
matter. And it would probably take a court case to sort it out.

Other than HEET, I find it unlikely that there will be a 
readily-available liquid fuel for cat-can / soda-can type stoves, if 
"marine stove fuel" cannot be obtained. A low-VOC formulation means that 
there are a lot of things in that liquid that are not "volatile organic 
compounds", and most likely, won't burn or won't burn readily.

--Greg




On 4/3/2011 12:25 PM, Donna Saufley wrote:
> Greg, I hope you are right in your interpretation. There are also some
> modifications in proposed amendments to the rule that you find on a search
> that I could not ascertain were adopted. I'm certainly not an expert in law,
> science, or labeling (deceptive or otherwise). The cans of denatured
> recently donated are labeled "alcohol appliance fuel" "marine stove fuel"
> and made no mention of solvent uses. For me the litmus test is whether or
> not the hardware store can order the product. If they can't order it,
> chances are good other retailers in the SCAQMD boundaries won't be able to
> order it either.  Our dear Trish is a busy lady, but I will check to see if
> she can order plain marine fuel, Heet, sterno, and esbits or other solid
> fuel like trioxane.  I know she can't order fuel canisters because she's
> tried that before.
>
> Maybe too the new lower VOC products might still be effective for our cat
> can stoves. Going cookless is a great option if you're prepared to do so. I
> confess I would really miss the creature comforts of hot tea and cleaning up
> with warm water.  Yes, I'm a wussy hiker.
>
> L-Rod
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
> On Behalf Of Greg Mikol
> Sent: Saturday, April 02, 2011 10:29 PM
> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Subject: [pct-l] SCAQMD Rule 1143&  Denatured Alcohol Question
>
> Bull Burge wrote:
>> http://www.packserv.com/Content-Public/Products-By-Brand/Page.asp?iID=8
>>
>>   These guys are providing a denatured alcohol that will pass the voc
>> levels.
>>
>> I haven't been able to do good research on my phone, but automotive
>> additives like HEET may not be covered by this based on their
>> intended use.
>>
>> BillB Typoed on my iPhone...
>
>
> Bill, I think you may have mis-read something on your iphone. This
> company is making some vague claims about "biodegradable" and "95%
> natural" and "renewable" for their denatured alcohol, but if you look at
> the MSDS, it still is, fundamentally, alcohol. 90-95% ethanol, 5-10%
> isopropyl alcohol, pretty typical denatured alcohol. ~800 g/L VOC.
>
> The simple alcohols (methyl, ethyl, propanol, isopropyl) are all VOC's.
> Period. Anyone who tries to tell you otherwise is probably lying.
>
> However, in reading through Rule 1143, it appears as if denatured
> alcohol could still be sold if it is explicitly labeled with a specific
> end-use that is not as a solvent. (NOTE: I don't live in SoCal, and I am
> neither an expert, nor a lawyer). For example, a 1-quart can of
> denatured alcohol with a manufacturer's printed label which identifies
> it for use as marine stove fuel only, and gives no other usage
> instructions is OK, since it's designed to be burned = no VOC's. That
> same quart, with a label that simply reads "Denatured Alcohol" or
> "Shellac Thinner", with multiple uses listed, is not OK, since many of
> those uses are designed for evaporation of the alcohol into the atmosphere.
>
> Just my interpretation, but it doesn't do any good for tracking down
> fuel in the middle of nowhere. However, if there are a couple of
> PCT-friendly stores at key locations that could be talked into stocking
> "Marine Stove Fuel", properly labeled, that might help, in the future.
>
> My opinion is worth what you paid for it...
>
> --Greg
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