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June, 2007

Q. I am from Orion Ethanol in Pratt Kansas. I am an intern looking into a project that we might attempt to do. We are looking for “wet methanol” a combination of water and methanol. After a little research, I found that there is methanol in windshield wiper fluid. I was wondering how or where you recycle your wiper fluid.

A. WIPER FLUID EVAPORATES QUICKLY WHEN USED AS INTENDED, PERHAPS BECAUSE OF IT'S ALCOHOL (OR METHANOL) CONTENT. I ASSUME THAT THE ALCOHOL SERVES TWO PURPOSES, FIRST AS AN ANTI-FREEZE AGENT AND SECONDLY TO ACCELERATE EVAPORATION, ALSO POSSIBLE AS A SOLVENT FOR ROAD GRIME %/OR BUG GUTS. I WONDER HOW HEAVILY CONCENTRATED THE ALCOHOLS ARE SINCE I WOULD ALSO ASSUME THAT TOO MUCH WOULD HARM THE VEHICLE PAINT FINISH, BUT DON'T REALLY KNOW.

TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, WE GIVE IT TO EMPLOYEES, USE IT IN OUR OWN VEHICLES AS WELL AS IN THE GOLF BALL WASHER ON MY GOLF CART AND THE BALL WASHERS.  OTHER THAN THAT, SPILLS, SHOULD ANY OCCUR, EVAPORATE PROMPTLY.