electrolytes or catylist!!

[razorback]

baking soda seems to be the most common electrolyte. is it the best.i added hydrogen peroxide to the baking soda in my test unit on my workbench.it made the glass jar so hot you could barely hold your hand on it.just came from a website that was using potassium hydroxide.dont even know where you could get that.i believe it was the PUNCH website that recomended some type of lye.does anyone really know which one is the best.!!!thank you!!

[dillyau]

Hi ,

My preference for a catalyst is the Potassium Hydroxide or KOH. Although you would have to buy it from a chemical depot, some wholesale cleaning chemical suppliers to the hotel an restaraunt trade could stock it if they mix there own stuff for sale. Perhaps the nearest alternative would be Sodium Hydroxide or Lye (Also known as Draino!- (In USA I believe it is called Red Devil)) This is because they are both a Caustic Alkali . Soda Bicarbonate has properties that when heated in water above 70' C it releases Carbon Dioxide, which as you know was used in fire extiguishers to put out a fires. ie, remove the O2 and the fire goes out. KOH as with all the corrosive alkalis need to be treated with respect. However, KOH dissolves much quicker that helps the process. It also has Hydrogenous properties ( absorbs moisture from the atmosphere if exposed for too long) Keep it away from alcohol bases if mixed it becomes Methoxide and is a potent mixture not to inhale or have skin contact, so worth wearing latex goloves etc. We are only dealing with small amounts but is worth knowing these facts. The more exposure to moisture in the atmosphere can cause it to lose some strength. Wear gloves and rinse hands thoroughly if contacted by the skin. Remember safety is paramount. All fuel has some water vapour in it, O2 in this process becomes HHO - 2 molecules of Hydrogen and a molecule of oxygen, that is what is sucked into the cylinders for ignition. Hope this helps, I buy KOH in OZ in 25kg bags for Biodiesel production so am familiar with it. I am no expert but have used it for a couple of years.

Regards

Derek D
Oz