| Author |
Message |
sal
science forum Guru Wannabe
Joined: 26 May 2005
Posts: 246
|
 Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2005 7:37 pm Post subject:
Looking to purchase KOH (potassium hydroxide) for Electrolysis tia sal2
|
|
|
Greets All,
I'm trying to find a local place in Atlanta, GA to pick up KOH (potassium
hydroxide) for testing Electrolysis (using it as my electrolyte). I don't
want to use salt because of the Chlorine gas it produces.
Thanks
sal2 |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Zak
science forum beginner
Joined: 20 May 2005
Posts: 13
|
| Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2005 8:28 pm Post subject:
Re: Looking to purchase KOH (potassium hydroxide) for Electrolysis tia sal2
|
|
|
sal wrote:
| Quote: | Greets All,
I'm trying to find a local place in Atlanta, GA to pick up KOH
|
You could use NaOH - drain cleaner pellets.
Thomas |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
tressure@gmail.com
science forum Guru Wannabe
Joined: 28 Oct 2005
Posts: 102
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2005 12:16 am Post subject:
Re: Looking to purchase KOH (potassium hydroxide) for Electrolysis tia sal2
|
|
|
I think you'd be better off trying to find sodium sulphate- it's a lot
less hazardous.
Hmmmm....if you want small quantities, epsom salts (magnesium sulphate)
is probably more easily available than any other non-halide salt. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
sal
science forum Guru Wannabe
Joined: 26 May 2005
Posts: 246
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2005 1:32 am Post subject:
Re: Looking to purchase KOH (potassium hydroxide) for Electrolysis tia sal2
|
|
|
tressure@gmail.com wrote in news:1130458592.347496.207090
@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com:
| Quote: | I think you'd be better off trying to find sodium sulphate- it's a lot
less hazardous.
Hmmmm....if you want small quantities, epsom salts (magnesium sulphate)
is probably more easily available than any other non-halide salt.
|
Thanks |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Ian Stirling
science forum Guru Wannabe
Joined: 06 May 2005
Posts: 150
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2005 6:33 am Post subject:
Re: Looking to purchase KOH (potassium hydroxide) for Electrolysis tia sal2
|
|
|
In sci.chem.electrochem.battery sal <sal@spp.net> wrote:
| Quote: | Greets All,
I'm trying to find a local place in Atlanta, GA to pick up KOH (potassium
hydroxide) for testing Electrolysis (using it as my electrolyte). I don't
want to use salt because of the Chlorine gas it produces.
|
Open your local buisness directory.
Turn to the chemical supplier section.
Repeat the phrase "I'd like to place a small cash order for KoH", until
you get a positive response. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
tressure@gmail.com
science forum Guru Wannabe
Joined: 28 Oct 2005
Posts: 102
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2005 9:12 pm Post subject:
Re: Looking to purchase KOH (potassium hydroxide) for Electrolysis tia sal2
|
|
|
I could have sworn I replied to this yesterday....
Why not use sodium sulphate as your electrolyte? It's a lot safer than
a hydroxide, and sulphate don't oxidize very well (okay, if you keep it
ice cold you can form peroxydisulphate, but that shouldn't happen at
RT). Magnesium sulphate (epsom salts) are easily and cheaply obtained
in bulk, while most vendors would look askance at somebody trying to
get kilos of KOH for home use. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
tressure@gmail.com
science forum Guru Wannabe
Joined: 28 Oct 2005
Posts: 102
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2005 9:14 pm Post subject:
Re: Looking to purchase KOH (potassium hydroxide) for Electrolysis tia sal2
|
|
|
| Quote: | I could have sworn I replied to this yesterday....
|
I did- I just didn't realize you had follow-ups set to a group other
than sci.chem. My bad. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
John Savage
science forum addict
Joined: 24 Mar 2005
Posts: 63
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 1:05 am Post subject:
Re: Looking to purchase KOH (potassium hydroxide) for Electrolysis tia sal2
|
|
|
sal <sal@spp.net> writes:
| Quote: | I'm trying to find a local place in Atlanta, GA to pick up KOH (potassium
hydroxide) for testing Electrolysis (using it as my electrolyte). I don't
want to use salt because of the Chlorine gas it produces.
|
I reckon NaOH should do the job just as well as KOH. Buy it as kitchen drain
cleaner at any supermarket. Draino is one brand name that comes to mind, but
check on the pack to make sure that is its ingredient.
But if you just want a conductive solution, you can stir in a pinch of
mother's baking soda (NaHCO3) instead of using NaCl or KOH.
--
John Savage (my news address is not valid for email) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Bob
science forum addict
Joined: 28 Oct 2005
Posts: 81
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 4:20 am Post subject:
Re: Looking to purchase KOH (potassium hydroxide) for Electrolysis tia sal2
|
|
|
On Tue, 01 Nov 2005 01:05:21 GMT, John Savage
<rookswood@suburbian.com.au> wrote:
| Quote: | sal <sal@spp.net> writes:
I'm trying to find a local place in Atlanta, GA to pick up KOH (potassium
hydroxide) for testing Electrolysis (using it as my electrolyte). I don't
want to use salt because of the Chlorine gas it produces.
I reckon NaOH should do the job just as well as KOH. Buy it as kitchen drain
cleaner at any supermarket. Draino is one brand name that comes to mind, but
check on the pack to make sure that is its ingredient.
|
Some of these products contain other ingredients, which might
complicate the intended expt. Drano (the proper spelling -- at least
for the common US product) is one of them. But I think some are simply
NaOH, sometimes called lye. Check label!
bob |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
<salmonegg@sbcglobal.n
science forum beginner
Joined: 13 Sep 2005
Posts: 28
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 6:12 am Post subject:
Re: Looking to purchase KOH (potassium hydroxide) for Electrolysis tia sal2
|
|
|
On 10/31/05 8:20 PM, in article 61rdm15l6augr60qipf9lcg6t8ojdntndl@4ax.com,
"Bob" <bbx107@excite.XXXX.com> wrote:
| Quote: | Some of these products contain other ingredients, which might
complicate the intended expt. Drano (the proper spelling -- at least
for the common US product) is one of them. But I think some are simply
NaOH, sometimes called lye. Check label!
|
Classic drano also has aluminum. In addition to dissolving grease, the lye
causes foaming.
Bill |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Mark Jones
science forum beginner
Joined: 24 Mar 2005
Posts: 11
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 1:36 am Post subject:
Re: Looking to purchase KOH (potassium hydroxide) for Electrolysis tia sal2
|
|
|
salmonegg@sbcglobal.net wrote:
| Quote: | On 10/31/05 8:20 PM, in article 61rdm15l6augr60qipf9lcg6t8ojdntndl@4ax.com,
"Bob" <bbx107@excite.XXXX.com> wrote:
Some of these products contain other ingredients, which might
complicate the intended expt. Drano (the proper spelling -- at least
for the common US product) is one of them. But I think some are simply
NaOH, sometimes called lye. Check label!
Classic drano also has aluminum. In addition to dissolving grease, the lye
causes foaming.
Bill
|
I found KOH on eBay as part of soapmaking. Beware, parcel carriers consider it
a hazardous chemical - large volumes will cost a lot to ship. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Mark Jones
science forum beginner
Joined: 24 Mar 2005
Posts: 11
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 1:57 am Post subject:
Re: Looking to purchase KOH (potassium hydroxide) for Electrolysis tia sal2
|
|
|
Mark Jones wrote:
| Quote: | salmonegg@sbcglobal.net wrote:
On 10/31/05 8:20 PM, in article
61rdm15l6augr60qipf9lcg6t8ojdntndl@4ax.com,
"Bob" <bbx107@excite.XXXX.com> wrote:
Some of these products contain other ingredients, which might
complicate the intended expt. Drano (the proper spelling -- at least
for the common US product) is one of them. But I think some are simply
NaOH, sometimes called lye. Check label!
Classic drano also has aluminum. In addition to dissolving grease, the
lye
causes foaming.
Bill
I found KOH on eBay as part of soapmaking. Beware, parcel carriers
consider it a hazardous chemical - large volumes will cost a lot to ship.
|
Also you'll have to use some exotic materials as your anode and cathode.
Platinum would be ideal, barring that, try some quality non-ferrous stainless
steel. Don't use regular steel though, the electrodes will dissolve in the
solution and create nasty-smelling (and corrosive and cancerous) fumes. Also you
have to use distilled water for continuous production. Introducing any
contaminants into the electrolyte will contaminate it. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Gordon Zola
science forum beginner
Joined: 02 Nov 2005
Posts: 2
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 6:36 am Post subject:
Re: Looking to purchase KOH (potassium hydroxide) for Electrolysis tia sal2
|
|
|
On Tue, 01 Nov 2005 20:57:06 -0500, Mark Jones <abuse@127.0.0.1>
wrote:
| Quote: | Introducing any
contaminants into the electrolyte will contaminate it.
|
Do tell. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Mark Jones
science forum beginner
Joined: 24 Mar 2005
Posts: 11
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 4:43 pm Post subject:
Re: Looking to purchase KOH (potassium hydroxide) for Electrolysis tia sal2
|
|
|
Gordon Zola wrote:
| Quote: | On Tue, 01 Nov 2005 20:57:06 -0500, Mark Jones <abuse@127.0.0.1
wrote:
Introducing any contaminants into
the electrolyte will contaminate it.
Do tell.
|
Well, I tried disassociating tap water using 25% KOH with two steel electrodes
as a worst-case scenario and the results were not pretty. After an hour of
operation the electrodes were heavily etched. The collected gas was therefore
scrubbed and filtered. I meant to try the test again with distilled water and
corrosion-grade stainless electrodes, but when I concluded the energy
requirements of my project and the abysmal energy density of H2, I dropped the
project entirely. By all means, try some regular stainless steel, but don't be
surprised if you'd need something like this:
http://www.alleghenyludlum.com/ludlum/pages/products/xq/asp/P.96/qx/product.html
Any contaminants in the incoming water (magnesium, calcium, iron, etc) will
permanently collect in solution and reduce the volume available for the H20 and
in turn, drive up the conductivity until it basically short-circuits itself.
Routine disposal of a 25% KOH solution requires a large quantity of acid to
neutralize it, plus any special disposal considerations. Then a "dirty" cell
must be disassembled and cleaned to remove mineral deposits, etc. That's just
not feasible in a production environment. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
fkasner
science forum beginner
Joined: 09 May 2005
Posts: 21
|
| Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 12:28 am Post subject:
Re: Looking to purchase KOH (potassium hydroxide) for Electrolysis tia sal2
|
|
|
salmonegg@sbcglobal.net wrote:
| Quote: | On 10/31/05 8:20 PM, in article 61rdm15l6augr60qipf9lcg6t8ojdntndl@4ax.com,
"Bob" <bbx107@excite.XXXX.com> wrote:
Some of these products contain other ingredients, which might
complicate the intended expt. Drano (the proper spelling -- at least
for the common US product) is one of them. But I think some are simply
NaOH, sometimes called lye. Check label!
Classic drano also has aluminum. In addition to dissolving grease, the lye
causes foaming.
Bill
|
Wrong. "Classic" Drano was merely NaOH with some Na2CO3 (can't help
forming that in air with NaOH). The later introduction of Al chips for
the stated purpose is not the original product at all.
FK |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Google
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
Forum index
»
Science and Technology
»
Chem
»
Electrochem
