DKS 2471:2013 
KENYA STANDARD        DKS 2471:2013  
 
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Methanol for Industrial Use — 
Specification  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 DKS 2471:2013 
          DKS 2471:2013 
 
 
TECHNICAL COMMITTEE REPRESENTATION 
 
The following organizations were represented on the  Technical Committee: 
 
University of Nairobi 
Government Chemist 
MOR-Materials Dept. 
Agro Chemical and Food Company 
Kenyatta University 
Spectre International 
Associated Battery Manufacturers 
Marshall Fowler 
Agrochemical Association of Kenya 
Galaxy Paints 
Tata Chemicals Magadi 
Associated Battery Manufacturers 
Athi River Mining 
KIRDI 
Eastern Chemical Industries 
Unilever 
Pan Africa Chemicals Ltd 
Consumer Information Network 
Kenya Medical Services 
Kenya Bureau of Standards   Secretariat 
 
 
REVISION OF KENYA STANDARDS 
 
In order to keep abreast of progress  in industry, Kenya Standards shall be regularly reviewed.  Sugge stions for  improvements to published standards, 
addressed to the Managing Director, Kenya Bureau of  Standards, are welcome.     
 
 
© Kenya Bureau of Standards, 2013 
 
Copyright. Users are reminded that by virtue of sec tion of the Copyright Act, Cap. 12 of 2001 of the L aws of Kenya, copyright subsists in 
all Kenya Standards and except as provided under se ction 26 of this Act, no Kenya Standard produced by  Kenya Bureau of Standards 
may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system in any form or transmitted by any means without prior permission in writing from the 
Managing Director. 
 
ISBN 9966-07-140-7DKS 2471:2013 
                           DKS 2471:2013 
 
 
PREFACE 
 
 
 
This Kenya Standard was prepared by the Technical C ommittee on Industrial Solvents and Chemicals  
under the authority of Kenya Bureau of Standards. 
 
Methanol, with a chemical formula, CH 3OH is a light, volatile colourless simple flamable liquid with a 
distinctive odor. It is used as an antifreeze, as f uel, solvent and as a denaturant for ethanol. It al so finds 
use in producing biodiesel through transesterificat ion.  
Its similarity to ethanol in terms of appearence an d odour and its relative low price to ethanol makes  it 
prone to misuse. It has adverse health effects incl uding causing permanent blindness and even death, 
The standard has addressed safety concerns, test me thods including determination of sulphur 
compounds. It has captured marking requirements as well. 
 
During the development  of this standard, reference  was made to the following publications: 
• BS 506-1:1987 Methanol for industrial use- Part 1:  Specification for methanol 
• BS 506-2 1984 – Methanol for industrial use – Part  2: Methods of test 
Assistance from these sources is greatly acknowledg ed. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 DKS 2471:2013 
         DKS 2471:2013 
 
Methanol for Industrial Use – Specification 
 
1. Scope:  
This Kenyan Standard specifies requirements and met hods of test for methanol for industrial use. 
2. Requirements 
 Requirements   
i.  Appearance Clear and free from 
matter in suspension Visual 
ii.  Colour in Hazen Units 15 maximum KS 1180 
iii.  Density at 20 oC, g/ml 0.791-0.794 KS 1180  
iv.  Distillation range at 1013mbar, oC Initial 64.0 
 
Dry point 65.0 KS 1180  
v.  Residue on evaporation %m/m 0.001 maximum KS 1180  
vi.  Miscibility with water Shall not show 
opalescence when 
mixed with distilled 
water. Annex A  
vii.  Acidity %m/m 0.003 maximum and 
shall not be alkaline to 
phenolphthalein Annex B  
viii.  Aldehydes and ketones %m/m as acetone 
CH 3COCH 3 0.005 Annex E  
ix.  Sulphur compounds % m/m 0.0001 maximum Annex D  
x.  Permanganate test Shall not cause 
potassium 
permanganate solution 
to fade in 30 minutes to 
match or be lighter than 
matching solution Annex C  
xi.  Water content% m/m of water 0.1maximum KS  1180  
 
 
 
 
 DKS 2471:2013 
 
Marking and packaging 
Methanol shall be packed in suitable and serviceabl e containers and marked indelibly with the 
following information. 
 
 (i) Name of product 
 (ii) Manufacturer’s name and/or registered trade m ark; and address. 
 
 (iii) Net content 
 
 (iv) The word ‘inflammable’ plus its international  symbol. 
 
 (v) Country of origin. 
 (vi) Batch/Lot number 
 (vii) The precautionary measures do not inhale or ingest 
 
 
Annex A 
Test for miscibility with water 
A.1 Principle 
Addition of water to a test portion, under specifie d conditions and examination for opalescence. 
A.2 Reagent 
During the analysis, use only distilled water. 
A.3 Apparatus 
Ordinary laboratory apparatus and two matched Nessl er cylinders, of capacity 100ml. 
A.4 Procedure 
Test portion:of the sample, place the test portion  in one of the nessler cylinders and dilute with wa ter to 
the 100ml mark. Mix and adjust the temperature to a bout 20 oC. Place 100ml of water in the other nessler 
cylinder. 
Examine the cylinder containing the test solution v ertically for opalescence, against a black backgrou nd 
with side illumination, using the second nessler cy linder containing water as the standard. 
Report the dilution-ratio of the test portion and t he presence of or absence of opalescence. 
 
 DKS 2471:2013 
 
 
Annex B 
Detection of Alkalinity or determination of acidity  to phenolphthalein 
B.1 Principle 
Dilution of a test portion with carbon dioxide-free  water. Checking whether the test portion is alkali ne or 
acidic to phenolphthalein , and if appropriate, det ermination of acidity by titration with standard vo lumetric 
sodium hydroxide solution. 
B.2  Reagents 
During the analysis, use only reagents of recognize d analytical grade and only distilled water or wate r of 
equivalent purity, carbon dioxide-free, recently pr epared. 
 
B.2.1 Water , carbon dioxide-free. Boil distilled water and all ow it to cool in a flask fitted with a stopper 
carrying a soda-lime guard-tube. 
 
B.2.2 Sodium hydroxide , standard volumetric solution, c(NaOH) = 0,1 mol/l. 
 
B.2.3 Phenolphthalein , 5 g/l ethanolic solution. Dissolve 0,5 g of pheno lphthalein in 100 ml of 95 % ( V/V) 
ethanol and add the sodium hydroxide solution until  a pale pink coloration is obtained. 
 
B.3  Apparatus 
 
Ordinary laboratory apparatus, and 
 
B.3.1 Conical flask , of borosilicate glass, of capacity 500 ml, fitted  with a ground glass stopper carrying a 
soda-lime guard-tube.  
 
B.3.2 Burette , of capacity 10 ml, graduated in 0.02 ml. 
 
B.4  Procedure 
 
B.4.1 Test portion 
Take 100 ± 0,1 ml of the laboratory sample. 
 
B.4.2 Determination 
Place 100 ml of the water in the conical flask add 0.5 ml of the phenolphthalein solution and restore the 
pale pink coloration by the addition of 1 or 2 drop s of the sodium hydroxide solution. Add the test po rtion 
and a further 0.5 ml of the phenolphthalein solutio n and note whether the solution is alkaline; if aci d, 
titrate the test solution with the sodium hydroxide  solution stoppering the flask and swirling its con tents 
after each addition, until a pink coloration, persi sting for about 15 s, is obtained. Shake the conten ts of the 
flask, with the stopper in position, after each add ition of sodium hydroxide solution. 
 
B.4.3 Alkaline products 
Indicate whether the product is alkaline to phenolp hthalein. 
 
B.4.4 Acidic products 
The acidity, expressed as a percentage by mass of f ormic acid (HCOOH), is given by the formula 
where DKS 2471:2013 
 
 
 
 
V  is the volume, in millilitres, of the sodium hydrox ide solution used for thedetermination; 
 
  is the density, in grams per millilitre, of the s ample at 20 °C  
 
0.0046 is the mass, in grams, of formic acid corres ponding to 1.00 ml of sodium hydroxide solution, 
c(NaOH) = 0.100 mol/l. 
 
NOTE:  If the concentration of the standard volumet ric solution used is not exactly as specified in th e list 
of reagents, an appropriate correction should be ma de. 
 
 
Annex C 
Determination of Permanganate time 
C.1 Permanganate time is the number minutes require d, after adding 2ml of 0.2g/l potassium 
permanganate solution to 50ml of the sample, for th e colour to match that of a colour standard [(cobal t(II) 
chloride and Uranyl nitrate colour standard]. 
C.2 Reagents 
C.2.1 Potassium Permanganate, 0.2g/L solution. Use water previously boiled for 30min with sufficient 
dilute potassium permanganate solution to give a st able faint pink coloration . Cool the water to ambi ent 
temperature before preparation of the solution. Pre pare this solution immediately before use and prote ct 
from light. 
C.2.2 Cobalt(II) Chloride and Uranyl nitrate, colou r standard. 
To 5ml of a 50g/l solution of cobalt(II) chloride h exahydrate (COCl 2.6H2O), add 7ml of a 40g/l solution of 
Uranyl nitrate hexahydrate [UO 2(NO 3)2.6H 2O], and dilute with water to 50ml. Prepare this sol ution on the 
day of use. 
C.3 Apparatus 
C.3.1 Ordinary laboratory apparatus 
C.3.2 Water bath, capable of being controlled at 15 ±0.2 oC 
C.3.3 Two matched cylinders, of capacity 100ml, of transparent and colourless glass, graduated at 
50ml and fitted with ground glass stoppers 
C.3.4 Burrete of capacity 10ml, graduated at 50ml d ivisions 
 
DKS 2471:2013 
 
C.4 Procedure 
C.4.1 Carry out the test as soon as possible after receiving the sample. Rinse one of the cylinders fi rst 
with 15-20ml of hydrochloric acid, approximately  1 .19g/ml, about 38%(m/m) solution, then six times wi th 
tap water, twice with distilled water and finally w ith some of the laboratory sample. 
Immediately fill the cylinder to the mark with more  of the laboratory sample at 15 oC 
Fill the second cylinder to the mark with the colou r standard. 
Place the cylinder containing the test portion in t he water bath controlled at 15 ±0.2oC so that the w ater 
level in the bath is approximately 25mm below the n eck of the cylinder. After 15 min, remove the cylin der 
from the water bath and using the burrete, add 2ml of potassium permanganate solution. Note the time. 
Immediately, stopper the cylinder, shake and replac e it in the water bath. 
Remove the cylinder from the water bath, at interva ls of 1min and compare the colour, viewing vertical ly 
downwards against a white background with the colou r of the colour standard. Avoid exposing the test 
solution to strong daylight. 
Note the time at which the colour of the test solut ion matches that of the colour standard. 
Report the time in minutes from the addition of the  potassium permanganate solution for the colour of the 
test solution to match that of the colour standard.  
 
Annex D 
Determination Of Sulphur Compounds 
D.1 Applicability 
The method determines all sulphur compounds normall y encountered in methanol for industrial use.It 
does not dertermine alkyl sulphones and other oxyge n bounded sulphur compounds. 
D.2 Principle 
Reaction with Raney nickel of sulphur compounds in a test position to form nickel sulphide which is th en 
decomposed with hydrochloric acid;the hydrogen sulp hide evolved is absorbed in sodium hydroxide 
solution before being titrated with standardized me rcury [11]acetate solution in the presence of dithi zone 
as indicator. 
D.3 Apparatus 
D.3.1 Ordinary laboratory apparatus and reduction a pparatus as shown in figure 1.Burette,of capacity 
10ml,graduated in 0.02ml 
During the analysis, use only reagents of recognize d analytical grade and only distilled water or wate r of 
equivalent purity.  DKS 2471:2013 
D.3.2 Nitrogen, gas  free from carbon dioxide.  
D.3.3 Acetone,  
D.3.4 Raney nickel 
WARNING-Raney nickel is spontaneously flammable in air. After use, it is essential to dispose of it 
immediately by dissolving in dilute hydrochloric ac id . 
Treat 10g of 50/50 nickel/aluminium alloy with 100m l of 100g/l sodium hydroxide solutions, cooling wit h 
ice while the reaction proceeds. Wash the Raney nic kel three times with water ,remove the water by 
decantation and store the Raney nickel under 100ml of propan-2-ol.Raney nickel prepared in this way 
retains its activity for about 3 days.5ml of this s uspension  will reduce quantitatively 1,0 to 1,5mg of 
organic  sulphur to hydrogen sulphide. 
D.3.5 A stabilized form of Raney nickel is availabl e commercially in pellet form. 
D.3.6 Sodium hydroxide, approximately 40 g/l solution. 
D.3.7 Hydrochloric acid solution .  
Dilute 3 volumes of concentrated hydrochloric acid,  approximately 1.19 g/ml, with 2 volumes  of water 
D.3.8 Mercury[11] acetat  solutions 
WARNING-mercury compounds are very toxic.lt essenti al that adequate precautions are taken 
including a voidance of inhalation of mercury oxide  dust. The disposal of mercury compounds 
may be subject to local restrictions. 
Dissolve 0,200g of mercury (II) oxide in 25 ml of w ater containing 1 ml of glacial acetic acid, and di lute to 
1 000 ml with water. 
D.3.9 Methanol, sulphur-free. 
Into a 2 litre round bottom flask with two necks, m easure 10 ml of the Raney nickel suspension; 
alternatively, measure 20  ml of acetone into the flask, add 0.5 g (1 pellet)  of Raney nickel, warm until the 
pellet has disintegrated and decant the acetone. Ad d 1 500 ml of methanol, place the flask into a heating 
mantle and fix it with reflux condenser. Insert the  nitrogen lead into the second neck and pass in gas  at 
the rate of two bubbles per second. 
Heat until slight effervescence is observed on the methanol surface and continues for 30 min. Turn off   
the gas flow and the heating, and allow the nickel to settle. Decant the methanol into a flask, and di stil . 
reject the first 250  ml and collect the next 1 000  ml, rejecting the remainder. 
D.3.10 Dithizone, 1 g/l solution in acetone. 
D.4 Procedure 
D.4.1 Transfer 5ml of the Raney nickel suspension t o the flask of reduction apparatus; alternatively 
,measure 10ml of the acetone into the flask, add 0. 25g(½ pellet)of Raney nickel and warm until the pel let 
has disintegrated  and decant the acetone. Add 100m l of the sample, place the flask into a heating man tle 
and pass the nitrogen through at the rate of about 31h.Adjust the temperature of the heating mantle un til DKS 2471:2013 
slight effervescence appears on the surface (just b elow boiling point). Continue for 30  min, swirling the 
flask at intervals. 
Transfer 10 ml of the sodium hydroxide solution and 10 ml of the acetone to the absorber. Add two drops 
of the dithizone solution and, by means of the bure tte, one drop of the mercury (II) acetate solution to the 
absorber. 
 
NOTE: The colour change should be from yellow to pi nk. Liberation of hydrogen sulphide will reverse th is 
colour change. 
 
D.4.2 Transfer  15  ml of the hydrochloric acid solution to the droppi ng funnel, switch off the heating 
mantle, and attach a second nitrogen lead to the gl ass tube in the top of the dropping funnel so as to  
apply a slight gas pressure. Admit the acid, a few millimetres at a time, to the flask and begin titra ting the 
contents of the absorber with the mercury (II) acet ate solution, as necessary to restore the pink colo ur. 
When all the acid has been added disconnect the nit rogen supply to the top of the dropping funnel , 
increase the nitrogen  flowrate to about 12 l/h, sw itch on the heating mantle again and continue heati ng 
for a further 20 min. When all the hydrogen sulphid e has apparently been titrated, switch off the heat ing 
mantle, divert the flow of nitrogen momentarily, co ol the flask by blowing on it, allow the absorbent to 
travel up the delivery tube in the absorber (to rec over any hydrogen sulphide which may be absorbed on  
its surface) and complete the titration. 
D.4.3 Carry out a blank test by following the same procedure and using the same quantities of reagents  
as in the determination but using 100  ml of the sulphur-free methanol in place of the te st portion. 
D.4.4 Standardization of the mercury(II) acetate so lution 
Add a known amount of an aliphatic sulphur compound  (e.g. di-iosoamyl sulphide), equivalent to 0.65  mg 
to 0,85  mg of sulphur-free methanol. Carry out a determina tion by the method using 100  ml of this 
solution. From the volume of the mercury(II) acetat e solution required in the titration, calculate the  mass, 
in micrograms, of sulphur equivalent to 1 ml of the mercury(II) acetate solution. 
D.5 Expression of results 
The sulphur compound content expressed as a percent age by mass of sulphur (S) is given by the 
formula. 
 
 
 DKS 2471:2013 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Where m is the mass in micrograms, of sulphur equivalent t o 1 ml of mercury(II)acetate solution.  
T1 is the volume, in millilitres of the mercury (II ) acetate solution required in the test determinati on; 
T2 is the volume, in millilitres, of mercury(II) ac etate solution required in the blank test; 
ρ   is the density, in grams per millilitre, of the sample at 20°C. 
 DKS 2471:2013 
 
 
Figure 1 — Reduction apparatus for the determinatio n of sulphur compounds  
 
 
Annex E 
Estimation of content of carbonyl compounds present  in small 
amounts — Spectrometric method 
 
 
E.1  Applicability 
The method is applicable to products having carbony l compounds contents, expressed as formaldehyde, 
between 0.000 2 and 0.01 % ( m/m). Reaction in acid medium of the carbonyl compound s in a test portion 
with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine. Formation of the c orresponding 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazones, which, af ter DKS 2471:2013 
making the solution alkaline, take on a yellowish-r ed coloration. Spectrometric measurement of this re d 
coloration at a wavelength of about 445 nm. 
 
E.2  Reagents 
 
During the analysis, use only reagents of recognize d analytical grade and only distilled water or wate r of 
equivalent purity. 
 
E.2.1  Methanol, free from carbonyl compounds, purified as  follows. 
Boil under reflux 1 000 ml of methanol with 10 g of  2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine and 10 drops of the 
hydrochloric acid solution for 2 to 3 h. Distil the  methanol slowly using a Widmer distillation column , about 
300 mm long and about 25 mm in diameter, or any oth er suitable column. Reject the first 75 ml of 
distillate and collect the next 850 ml, rejecting t he remainder. If the distillate is coloured, redist il it. 
 
E.2.2  2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazine, saturated solution in t he methanol ( 11.3.1 ) at ambient temperature 
[about 0,06 % ( m/m) solution]. 
 
WARNING. 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine is harmful if i nhaled, if in contact with skin or eyes, or if 
swallowed and carries the risk of explosion by shoc k, friction, heat or by other sources ofignition, 
particularly when dry. Inhalation of dust and conta ct with skin and eyes should be avoided. 
Particular care should be taken when using the dry material. 
 
E.2.3  Hydrochloric acid, Q approximately 1.19 g/ml, about  38 % ( m/m) solution. 
 
E.2.4  Potassium hydroxide, 100 g/l solution in a 70 % ( V/V) solution of the methanol  
 
E.2.5  Carbonyl compounds, standard solution corresponding  to 0.030 g of carbonyl compounds, 
expressed as formaldehyde, per litre. Weigh, to the  nearest 0.000 1 g, 1.200 g of acetophenone, and 
dissolve it in a little of the methanol . Transfer quantitatively to a 100 ml one-mark volumetric flas k, dilute 
to the mark with the methanol and mix. Take 5.0 ml of this solution, transfer it to a 500 ml one-mark 
volumetric flask, dilute to the mark with the metha nol and mix. 1 ml of this standard solution contain s 30 
4g of carbonyl compounds, expressed as  Formaldehyd e. 
 
E.3  Apparatus 
 
Ordinary laboratory apparatus, and 
 
E.3.1  Water bath, capable of being controlled at 50 ± 2 ° C. 
 
E.3.2  Test tubes, fitted with ground glass stoppers. 
 
E.3.3  Spectrometer with a radiation selector for continuo us variation, fitted with cells of optical path 
length 1 cm, or 
 
E.3.4 Spectrometer with a radiation selector for disconti nuous variation, fitted with filters providing 
maximum transmission at a wavelength of about 445 n m. 
 
E.4  Procedure 
 
E.4.1 Test portion 
Take 1.0 ml of the laboratory sample and place it i n one of the test tubes  
 
 
 
 DKS 2471:2013 
E.4.2  Blank test 
Carry out a blank test at the same time as the dete rmination, following the same procedure and using t he 
same quantities of all the reagents used for the de termination, but replacing the test portion by 1.0 ml of 
the methanol  
 
E.4.3  Preparation of the calibration graph 
 
E.4.3.1  Preparation of dilute standard solutions, with a vi ew to preparation of standard colorimetric 
Solutions Into a series of seven 25 ml one-mark vol umetric flasks, introduce the volumes of the standa rd 
carbonyl compounds solution indicated in the follow ing table and dilute to the mark with the methanol  
 
 
Standard Carbony Compounds 
Solution Corresponding mass of 
carbonyl compounds, 
expressed as 
HCHO  
 Mass of carbonyl compounds  
in 1 ml of dilute standard 
solution  
 
ml µg µg 
0a 
1.5 
2.5 
5.0 
7.5 
10.0 
12.5 
 0 
45.0 
75.0 
150.0 
225.0 
300.0 
375.0 
 0 
1.8 
3.0 
6.0 
9.0 
12.0 
15.0 
 
a Compensation solution. 
 
 
E.3.3.2 Preparation of standard colorimetric solutions, for  spectrometric measurements carried 
out in cells of optical path length 1 cm place 1.0 ml of each of the dilute standard solutions and tre at the 
contents of each tube according to the procedure E.3.3.3 . 
 
E.3.3.3  Colour development 
Add 1,0 ml of the 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine soluti on and one drop of the hydrochloric acid solution 
Stopper the tubes and heat for 30 min using the wat er bath controlled at 50 ± 2 °C. Allow to cool, add  5.0 
ml of the potassium hydroxide solution mix, and all ow to stand for 5 min. 
 
E.3.3.4 Spectrometric measurements 
Immediately carry out the spectrometric measurement s on each of the standard colorimetric solutions, 
using either the spectrometer set at a wavelength o f about 445 nm, or the spectrometer fitted with 
appropriate filters, after having first adjusted th e instrument to zero absorbance against the methano l  
 
E.3.3.5 Plotting the graph 
Deduct the absorbance of the compensation solution from those of the standard colorimetric solutions. 
Plot a graph having, for example, the masses, in mi crograms, of carbonyl compounds, expressed as 
HCHO, in 1 ml of each dilute standard solution as a bscissae, and the corresponding corrected values of  
absorbance as ordinates. DKS 2471:2013 
 
 
E.4 Determination 
 
E.4.1 Colour development 
Treat the test portion in the test tube, following the procedure specified in E.3.3.3 . 
 
E..4.2 Spectrometric measurements 
Immediately carry out the spectrometric measurement s on the coloured test solution and the blank test 
solution following the procedures specified in E.3.3.4 , after having adjusted the instrument to zero 
absorbance against the methanol  
NOTE If the absorbance exceeds the maximum of the c alibration graph, repeat the determination  using 
as the test portion 1.0 ml of a test solution prepa red by diluting 1.0 ml of the laboratory sample wit h an 
appropriate volume (not more than 4.0 ml) of the me thanol  
 
E.5  Expression of results 
 
By means of the calibration graph determine the mas ses of carbonyl compounds corresponding to the 
values of the spectrometric measurements. The carbo nyl compounds content, expressed as a 
percentage by mass of formaldehyde (HCHO), is given  by the formula 
 
 
where 
 
m0 is the mass, in micrograms, of carbonyl compounds found in the blank test 
solution  
 
m1 is the mass, in micrograms, of carbonyl compounds found in the test solution; 
 
  is the density, in grams per millilitre, of the s ample at 20 °C  
 
rD is the ratio of the volume of the diluted test sol ution to the volume of the aliquot portion taken fo r the 
determination (if the test portion was not diluted,  rD is equal to 1); 
 
1,0  is the volume, in millilitres, of the test por tion. The results can also be expressed as a percen tage by 
mass of acetone [(CH 3)2CO] by multiplying the above results by 1,93.