Fuel at shows - containers and delivery

Anyone have a grand solution? I've tried a few solutions with mixed results. Never any issues but I'm looking for something that will fit all the regulations. To run the different engines I usually have the following fuels:

gasoline
denatured alcohol
white gas (ie. Colemen camping fuel)

I was thinking about 1 quart steel cans with screw on lids. I'm not sure what kind of pump to use. I have used model fuel pumps but they do not work well for gasoline.

Just looking for some options. What works for you?

I have a 1 quart (maybe its a liter) aluminum bottle sold for back packers. It is properly marked as a fuel container and has a nice screw cap. I dont recall how much it cost, but I dont think it was a lot. Nice think is that it is legal to use for fuel.

Have been using the aluminum backpackers fuel bottles for years. Never had any problems with lantern type fuels like Coleman or pump gasoline.

Year or so ago started adding methanol to my lantern (naphtha) fuel and was happy with lot cleaner burning fuel. Started having problems with a white substance plugging fuel filters and needle valve. A car racing relative told me that methanol reacts with aluminum and should not be left in contact with aluminum. Haven't noticed any sediment substance problem in a wick burner as used for a hot air type engine.

Do a search of - methanol aluminum compatibility.

Not sure what the best answer is, thinking of making copper fuel container.

With regard to the model fuel pumps, most are made for glow fuel (methanol). Petrol (gasoline) versions
of the same type of pump are available and work well....but they are not interchangable.

As been said by Ron and others, From the show organizers view point. the size and type of containers really only one important thing other than the size(capacities) is that it must be an UL approved container!
Check out the methane fuel containers for the airplane, boat, car engines.

The aggregate amounts is what the Insurance policy riders, Fire Codes inspections along with the location and number of extinguishers in the arena.

It is based on the idea that a small fire will be generally localized in an area. This thinking is based on the amount of combustibles and the speared rate in the arena/rinks.

You are able to have as much as you want to carry in your vehicle, and refill as needed.

Same reasons that steam isn't used, insurance costs and the local city inspections/codes. Not to mention the problems with a large enough capacity/p/hour steam generator (flash steam type) no licensed operator needed (rental cost), leaks, hot piping, condensate removal, Second pipe system, or buckets that have to be emptied, City water supply costs and the biggest thing Hot piping/steam near the general public which are mostly ignorant of how fast some one can get hurt.

Most exhibitors have signage or let people know not to touch the hot engines

I won't say that a shop made container wouldn't be allowed with out the UL approval sticker, unless one of the local inspectors seen it.
And getting the UL approval isn't cost effective for a few small containers.
;D

A little searching and found aluminum fuel container with epoxy lining that should work for methanol.
http://www.campmor.com/optimus-4l-small-fuel-bottle.shtml
Not sure if UL approved but would prefer over a plastic container.

Isn't Coleman fuel (white gas) essentially a highly refined form of "gasoline"? I've run all my petrol engines on Coleman fuel, and if anything, I find it superior to regular petrol.

Many years ago, I started my adult life as a chemist, and we learned quite a bit about containers to safely deal with noxious, flammable, nasty liquids of all varieties. I'm thinking a high quality "Nalgene" type of bottle would do very well. These things are guaranteed to never leak, and are stout as can be. Most are HDPE, but there are also deluxe versions of PFA/PTFE, fluorinated (teflon) plastics. These latter are as inert a plastic material as science has ever devised... you can store nitric acid in these things safely.

They look like this, and can be mail ordered.

http://www.techmate.co.uk/acatalog/nalgene-1000ml-laboratory-bottles.html#a1192

Coleman fuel is a type of naphtha. http://www.americanagip.com/pdfs/Raffinate.pdf This is a refiner's MSDS for the CAS# published in the Coleman MSDS. Modern gasoline is blended to achieve the required properties. How closely related it really is can vary. Coleman fuel is not rated for octane, but it is low at 56 or so. This doesn't matter for small bore lightly loaded engines. It's probably OK in a weedeater, but anything that makes a lot of power should not be fueled with it.

I also use camp fuel bottles for carrying fuel for my smaller model aircraft when I go flying.

Nalgene tanks were once popular for fuel tanks in gasoline fueled model airplanes.

Thank you for all the input. I came across this while looking at the camping/back packers fuel containers which someone mentioned.

http://www.greatoutdoorsdepot.com/trangia-fuel-bottle.html

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=571vUaOj23Y&noredirect=1[/ame]

Looks like a nice bottle and I like the valve cap and safety features.

PT - thank you for the clarification and reminding me of the total amount allowed at the table.

See you all at NAMES! Should be a good time as always ;D

Ordered and received the Trangia fuel bottle. Nice fuel bottle and like the vent and pouring is done without having to remove the top. The HDPE is good for alcohol fuel.

The Swiss made fuel bottle does not have the UL label. For indoor use would prefer a bottle that doesn't melt at under 300 degrees F. There is lots of plastic fuel tanks and fuel containers so maybe it is OK.