Some dyes, which are soluble to methanol, Were screened through desk consideration regarding performance and safety aspect, as well as tests for fuel quality and human health impact. Tests on exhaust emissions and fleet tests were carried out with one dye, which was selected as a result of the screening process. A study regarding the supply system of dyed methanol and cost simulations were also conducted,

　

Selection of Dye by Desk

ConslderatIon

　

Screening of Dyes

The requirements for dyes for neat methanol Were considered through a literature survey. These requirements are shown in Table 1.

　

Table 1 Requirements for dyes

　

Selection of dyes in the 1st step was conducted on the basis of Table 1. It was found that there were 23 kinds of dyes, which were soluble to methanol and easy to obtain in the market.

The solubility of the above dyes was tested, and then the more preferable five dyes shown in Table 2 were selected,considering the existence therein of halogen,sulfonate and a benzene ring.

　

Table 2 Selected five dyes

　

　

Tests for quality deterioration and health impact

　

Storage test

The absorbance, the absorption wavelength, and the quality deterioration of colored methanol fuel samples each containing 1 ppm (weight /volume) dye were measured for a year in a storage test using small vessels. Test pieces made from the same material as a fuel storage tank and a drum were put into some of these vessels.Samples are shown in Table 3.

　

Table 3 Samples for storage test

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