Disclosed are methodology and apparatus for providing communications with an Automatic Meter ReadingAdvanced Metering Infrastructure collector device. The distal surface of the rim has a central hump, a trough contiguous with the central hump extending axially outward from the hump, and a flat shelf immediately adjacent, contiguous with, and extending axially outward from the trough. The apparatus is illustrated by an annular mold for forming mating plastic couplings around the ends of tubes such as corrugated and smooth-walled metal pipes. The mixed alcohol formulations can contain a blend of C1-C5 alcohols, or C1-C8 alcohols or higher C1-C10 alcohols in order to further boost energy content.