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DIY methanol detector for drinks (discuss.tchncs.de)

submitted 1 week ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

19 comments fedilink hide all child comments

We are going to Vietnam this year for holiday and I've read horror stories of poorly distilled alcohol in cocktails and such. Several tourists have died from methanol poisoning.

Would it be feasible to build a small detector for methanol? I'm okay with either a small chemical identification test or something like an IR spectrum analysis.

There are commercial test kits for professional laboratories but I need something affordable for regular consumers.

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

Testing alcohol by scent or by flame are neither guaranteed nor safe methods, however, to test for the presence of methanol more effectively, you can apply sodium dichromate to a sample of the beverage. To do so, mix 8 mL of a sodium dichromate solution with 4 mL of sulfuric acid. Swirl gently to mix, then add 10 drops of the mixed solution to a test tube or other small container containing the alcohol. Swirl this container gently a few times, then waft the air from the mouth of the container towards your nose by fanning the air toward you with a hand, with the container placed roughly 8-12 inches from your face. Take note of the scent: If it is pungent and irritating, methanol is present in the alcohol. If the scent is dominating and fruity, only ethanol is present, and the beverage is safe.

Source: https://www.sciencing.com/test-alcohol-methanol-8714279/

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Hmm I've found that but that is not the kind of stuff I can take with me on the airplane.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 1 week ago

Probably simpler to take some duty free liquor from 1 airport before your final destination, and mix your own drinks