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Electrolysis Warning!

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OH Boy

03-14-2005 05:38:30

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Was looking at the post below about electrolysis and cleaning up rusty parts.

I am pretty sure I read somewhere NOT to use salt as the ion in the tank, because that causes the tank to release toxic clorine gas. The information I read said it was safer to use Washing Soda. I did it that way a few years ago and had real good success with it.

Also, I read somewhere that despite its longer lasting properties, one should NOT use stainless steel as the sacrificial anode, it releases chromium into the water which is toxic/carcinogenic. Better to use plain iron or steel, such as the horseshoes that the poster below used.

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Jimmy D

03-14-2005 16:54:31

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Re: Electrolysis Warning! in reply to OH Boy, 03-14-2005 05:38:30

Link

The link above details the process doos and donts

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BillM (OH)

03-14-2005 13:37:28

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Re: Electrolysis Warning! in reply to OH Boy, 03-14-2005 05:38:30

Amount of Chlorine coming off would be pretty small -- probably nothing to worry about. Also, Hydrogen is so light that it will be up up and away before reaching LEL (flammable limit). You're right with the Chromium comment, it is bad news.

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TIMW(PA)

03-14-2005 14:38:17

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Re: Electrolysis Warning! in reply to BillM (OH), 03-14-2005 13:37:28

Yeah your right about the hydrogen worry. I remember in high school chemistry class it took almost a half an hour to build up a few MLs enough to do an experiment with. If you have it in a normal sized garage you'd half to be pumping in some major current and boil half the tank dry before you would ever get enough gas to worry about. Like I said down below I put the plastic rubbermaid lid on my tank for quite awhile an then threw in a match....didnt do anything so I think they are pretty safe...Tim

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James41-9n

03-14-2005 09:33:15

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Re: Electrolysis Warning! in reply to OH Boy, 03-14-2005 05:38:30

Also if you are using the Carbonate's the resulting gas is Hydrogen! Remember the Hidenburg... Since the battery charger is prone to spark if you move the wires and the alligator clips rotate you get the little sparks at the metal, both of which are near the project, it could create a flamable condition.

Im not as worried with poison gas as I am with an explosion...

just my additonal thoughts

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James41-9n

03-14-2005 08:30:04

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Re: Electrolysis Warning! in reply to OH Boy, 03-14-2005 05:38:30

I tried the baking soda (Bi Carbonate of Soda) instead of Washing Soda (Carbonate of Soda) and it worked ok. Internet research told me that Salt (Sodium Chloride) would produce Chlorine gas and give a better caustic reaction in the bath without leaving dangerous chemicals in the water after I was done. Since my bath is outside on a picnic table it is not any danger.

Several people indicated that they tried lye for the increase in caustic reaction but the resulting bath is quite dangerous.

Since I have chlorine and acids for my pool, and even my own chlorine generator using salt I have the experience that the chlorine generated is quite mild and in small amounts.

I was looking at getting the job done, and the safety issues of disposal as when you pull the part out you get the mess on you, when you dump the water you get the mess on you, not something I want to do with lye.

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Paul Leske

03-14-2005 07:40:08

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Re: Electrolysis Warning! in reply to OH Boy, 03-14-2005 05:38:30

And here all this time I thought electrolysis was for removing women's mustaches. :-)

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OH Boy

03-14-2005 09:42:58

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Re: Electrolysis Warning! in reply to Paul Leske, 03-14-2005 07:40:08

I believe it will work for that too but you have to soak it in that tank for an awfully long time!

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Randy 2N

03-14-2005 06:36:35

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Re: Electrolysis Warning! in reply to OH Boy, 03-14-2005 05:38:30

Lordy, Lordy, yes do not run electricity through "salt water" because it will release chlorine, hydrogen, and caustic soda (sodium hydroxide). As a matter of fact, that's how chlorine is "created" to be captured in cylinders. When chlorine contacts moisture it creates hypochlorous acid and it will do that in your lungs. Watch the old war movies, too...besides flooding, one reason submariners were so afraid of leaks is that sea water would get on top of the battery bank (under the floor) and fill the submarine with chlorine gas.

Who said chemistry wasn't interesting?

Randy 2N

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TIMW(PA)

03-14-2005 05:57:39

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Re: Electrolysis Warning! in reply to OH Boy, 03-14-2005 05:38:30

I heard that too. But I think for the hobbiest the worry is a little overrated in my opinion only. The amount of chlorine that could be released can only come from the salt that you put in there which isnt much. I think you get more chlorine gas from your morning shower with city water or doing laundry than you'll get from a little hydrolysis tank. Same thing goes with the oxygen and hydrogen issue. I put a cover on my tank for about four hrs and then put a lighted match in....nothing (I know it was stupid but I couldn't help myself Grin :O)any way since my experiment I dont worry about keeping it in the garage....But its my own butt and house on the line so everyone can make thier own decision....Tim

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gahorN

03-14-2005 16:16:25

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Re: Electrolysis Warning! in reply to TIMW(PA), 03-14-2005 05:57:39

Yep, never use stainless in an electrolysis bath. It releases hexavalent chromium. Remember the movie (Erin Brockovich) about it with Julia Roberts? Lung cancer from the fumes, and digestive cancers from groundwater contamination. There's no way for the hobbyist to get rid of the solution afterwards which will not be hazardous to the public (not to mention himself during the episode.)

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James41-9n

03-14-2005 16:41:16

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Re: Electrolysis Warning! in reply to gahorN, 03-14-2005 16:16:25

Yes I remember Julia Roberts in the movie, she was very pretty...

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