Observational Electrolysis Test using Potassium Hydroxide

I conduct an observational electrolysis test using potassium hydroxide (KOH) as the electrolyte and observe the results.



My Observations

1 The electrolyte particulates out about 3/16Th of an inch before the test begins.

2. Brown particulate forms about 1/4 inch during the test.

3. Foam forms on the surface and stays there during the test.

4. Gas production is quite good.

5. Some brown particulate makes its way into the foam. It doesn't appear to be of the scum variety.

6. I used quite a bit less KOH in this test than the electrolytes in other tests.

7. I suspect my batch of KOH is an inferior grade.

Electrolytes & Electrolyte Testing Articles

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Previous: Grape Kool-Aid Long Term Particulate Comparison Test

Overnight Observational Test with Grape Kool-Aid

I was impressed with the Kool-Aid as an electrolyte so I decided to let the test run overnight. In the morning Cinderella had a pumpkin. Darn.





My Observations

1. The electrolyte clouds up overnight.

2. The plates had a brown patina that took awhile to remove in the CLR.

3. No noted corrosion on the plates.

4. After settling, the particulate was about 3/4" deep.

Electrolytes & Electrolyte Testing Articles

Next: Grape Kool-Aid Long Term Particulate Comparison Test
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Observational Electroyte Test with Grape Kool-Aid

Nope. Not a joke. I conduct an observational electrolyte test using grape Kool-Aid. For short tests, it really appears to work.





My Observations

1. Gas production is moderate

2. the mix clears up and becomes a brownish-purple at test end.

3. No significant particulates are observed. (Wait for the overnight test on this).

Electrolytes & Electrolyte Testing Articles

Next: Overnight Observational Electrolyte Test with Grape Kool-AidPrevious: Precipitate Comparison Test; Borax and Sea Salt with Calcium Silicate

Still Cooler Design Testing

I build an electrolyte still cooler and proceed to test the various aspects of the design and practical application.


UPDATE: The cheapie fuel pump I was using failed on the first long duration test. So it's back to the Internet to find something suitable. I still think the still cooler is capable of handling the heat exchanging duties, if only I can find a reliable 12 volt pump.




My Observations

1. The fuel pump will self sump the system.

2. The system will more or less purge itself.

3. The fuel pump will allow the system to drain.

4. A static test leads me to think it will reduce the temperature 10-20 degrees while sitting still. The numbers will be greater while in motion. It would take further tests to be sure as I think diluting the electrolyte skewed the results on this particular test to show a 37 degree drop.

Adaptive Engineering Articles

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Initial Electrolysis Test with a 12VDC Neon Sign Transformer

I conduct an initial test with a sign transformer and get disappointed with the results.





I have two ideas on how to proceed

1. Adjust the plate gap closer, probably 1 millimeter apart.

2. Add capacitance to the circuit in some way.

High Voltage Articles

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Observational Electrolyte test using Ferrous Sulfate

I conduct an observational electrolyte test using ferrous sulfate and observe the results.





My Observations

1. The mixture starts out a cloudy orangish brown.

2. if allowed to sit for a short period a film develops on the surface.

3. After only 30 seconds a bluish green particulate begins to form.

4. The blue-green particulate tends to float and form a scum.

5. After 6-10 minutes the blue-green particulate changes color to orange-brown and begins to sink.

6. The cloudy aspect of the mixture clears up after 5 minutes or so as the particulates begin to appear.

7. Particulates settle throughout the test eventually building to one inch in the bottom after an hour.

8. after an hour or so a slight odor is noticeable.

9. The negative side plate accumulates a dark deposit similar to magnesium sulfate, but in slightly larger quantity.

Electrolytes and Electrolyte Testing Articles

Next: Particulate Comparison Test, Borax and Sea Salt with Calcium Silicate
Previous: After Electrolysis Observations; Sea salt & Calcium Silicate

Test & Set a Variable Pressure Relief Valve

I test and set a variable pressure relief valve using reckoning(or estimation).





My Findings

1. The yellow spring is for the lowest pressure range: 20-50PSI

2. The relief valve is relatively insensitive.

3. After spring contact with the valve between 1/8th and 1/4 turn should yield between 22 and 26 pounds blow off pressure.

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Observational Electrolysis Test Using Sea Salt

I conduct a observational electrolysis test using sea salt with calcium silicate(yes, that's what the box states is in it) and observe the results.

I don't recommend anyone duplicating this test because Chlorine gas can be produced by the test.



My Observations

1. Good gas production is observed.

2. Holy cow! enough particulate to clog a landfill! Now if that ain't a bucket of mud I don't know what is!

3. Needless to say there's no need to recommend San Fransisco Bay Sea Salt as an electrolyte!

Electrolytes & Electrolyte Testing Articles

Next: After Electrolysis Observations; Sea Salt & Calcium Silicate
Previous: Observational Electrolyte Test using Borax

Observational Electrolyte Test using Borax

I conducted an observational electrolyte test using borax and comment on the results.



My Observations

1. Foam begins to appear at around 5 minutes into the test

2. Once the foam thickens an occasional large bubble forms sometimes more of them but just a few at a time.

3. White particulate forms in minute quantities.

4. Particulate gradually changes to orange-brown

5. Particulate formation increases toward end of test. This leads me to believe the particulate formation is delayed compared to other electrolytes

6. White foam picks up some brown color before dissipating.

7. Once the foam dissipates, it leaves a scum behind.

8. For this test the brown particulate accumulation was light.

9. The plate has a gray buildup similar to what was observed with magnesium sulfate.

Electrolytes & Electrolyte Testing Articles

Next: Observational Electrolysis Test using Sea Salt
Previous: Calcium Hydroxide Electrolyte After Test Obaservations

Calcium Hydroxide Electrolyte After Test Observations

I make some after test observations of using Calcium Hydroxide as an electrolyte. I lost a clip that showed the particulate settling, but the action was so slow I would have needed to speed it up somehow.





My After Test Observations

1. Calcium Hydroxide leaves hard water deposits on the glass surfaces. I'm sure it would apply to plastic or stainless steel as well.

2. The electrolyte leaves a hard deposit raft on the surface if left for a few days. This may be because it was a saturated solution. The weaker solution in the second test will provide some insight into this phenomenon.

3. The particulate settles out like watching the mass self compress leaving almost clear water above it. Most other compounds settle out like watching a blizzard that tapers off.

Electrolytes & Electrolyte Testing Articles

Next: Observational Electrolyte Test Using Borax
Previous: Adjusted Concentration for Calcium Hydroxide Electrolyte Test

Aborted Ford Gauge Type Oil Pressure Sensor Test

I explain why I aborted the test of the Ford Gauge Type oil pressure sensor.



Would you test something where the only difference between one type and another is the cost? Me neither.

Changes to the Test Pressure Chamber

I go over the changes I've made to the test pressure chamber I built to test oil pressure sensors.



Essentially I added the pressure blow off valve to the rig and just wanted to show it off. Neener Neener.

Lab Projects Articles

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Previous: Building a Pressure Chamber to Test Oil Pressure Sensors

Adjusted Concentration for Calcium Hydroxide Electrolyte Test

I conduct a second test using Calcium Hydroxide as the electrolyte. The concentration this time was 1/4 teaspoon per gallon.




My Observations

1. The gas production is moderate at best.

2. there are very low levels of particulate when compared to 1 teaspoon per gallon.

3. The amperage is very low indicating the electrolyte could be in stronger concentration, but the cost of doing so may be to filter out the white particulate before use.

4. There is a considerable amount of scum that forms at this concentration. It may dissipate over time, but did not do so in the hour and 45 minutes I ran the test.

Electrolytes & Electrolyte Testing Articles

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Adjusting the Recipe for Reducing Hexevalent Chromium in Vinegar

I take the time to adjust the recipe for reducing hexevalent chromium in vinegar and record the results.



My Observations

1. It takes quite a bit more calcium hydroxide to cause seperation of the particulates. 6-6 1/2 Tablespoons versus 1/2 Tablespoon.

Hexavalent Chromium Articles

Related: Electrolysis Testing with Only Distilled White Vinegar
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Previous: Hexavalent Chromium Initial Test

Particulate Comparison Between Magnesium Sulfate and Baking Soda

I compare the water samples from electrolysis testing between Magnesium Sulfate and Baking Soda. There's clearly more particulate from the Magnesium Sulfate.





My Observations

1. It occured to me that many electrolytes are producing particulate, so I wonder if they can be rendered suitable in combinations like baking soda and vinegar can.

Saturation Test with Calcium Hydroxide in purified water

I conducted a water saturation test with calcium hydroxide (lime) in purified water and observed the results.




My Observations

1. Calcium Hydroxide resists going into solution.

2. To get the desired concentration, the water has to be heated or allowed to stand before filtering the undissolved portion of the calcium hydroxide.

Electrolysis Test with Calcium Hydroxide

I conduct an electroysis test with calcium hydroxide (lime) in reverse osmosis purified water.




My Observations

1. Calcium Hydroxide does not readily disolve in water.

2. The one tablespoon per gallon used creates a lot of white precipitate.

3. Heating or standing may allow more to dissolve.

4. Remaining precipitate should be filtered before using

5. Foam forms near the beginning of the test but dissipates between 40 and 60 minutes into the test.

6. Brown particulate forms in considerable quantities and forms larger flakes than other tests.

7. Good gas production is observed.

Hexavalent Chormium Initial Test

I conducted an observational test of adding ferrous sulfate and calcium hydroxide (lime) to my water samples in order to reduce the Hexavalent Chromium, Cr(VI) to Trivalent Chromium, Cr(III).




My Observations

1. The sludge forms as predicted in the research in three of the four tests.

2. The failed test involved vinegar in 5% concentration. I anticipate the acidity of the water affected the formation of sludge, so the next test will adjust the amount of lime in an attempt to neutralize the acid.

Hexevalent Chromium Articles

Next: Adjusting the Recipe for Reducing Hexevalent Chromium in Vinegar
Previous: Reducing Hexevalent Chromium in Waste Water

First Operational Test of an Oil Sensor

I conducted the first test of an oil sensor and comment on the results in this film clip. The sensor I used was a Ford Idiot light sensor type. This type just causes a light to come on on the dashboard if the oil pressure fails.





My Observations

1. The switch closes at 3-5 pounds of pressure and the resistance goes to 1 Ohm.

2. The switch opens at about 3 pounds of pressure and the resistance goes to infinity.

3. Idiot light type oil pressure sensor switches are well suited to use as a control mechanism for electrolysis.

Building a Pressure Chamber to Test Oil Pressure Sensors

I got a crazy idea to test how oil pressure sensors actually work and this lab project is the result.






Parts List

• (1) gas bottle, (never had gas is safe, used is cheaper)
  
• (3) 1/2" black pipe tees
  
• (3) 1/2" close fit black pipe (or the shortest pipe available)
  
• (1) 3/4" to 1/2" Black Pipe Pipe Adapter
  
• (4) 1/2" to 1/4" Black Pipe Adapter
  
• (2) 1/4" brass male air connector
  
• (2) 1/4" quarter turn air valves, male/female
  
• (1) 1/4" air coupler, male
  
• (1) 1/4" air coupler, female
  
• (1) 1/4" Air Pressure Gauge
  
• (1) 1/4" Air Coupler Quick Connect, female
  
• (1) An oil pressure sensor that fits your vehicle
  

Personally I like to be able to drive my truck while I'm experimenting, otherwise I could just use the oil pressure sensor that's already on it.

The Ford oil pressure sensor I bought fits a 1/4" pipe adapter. Other makes and models may be different, so in that case you would have to adjust the parts list to get the sensor to fit. In the case of a metric sensor, fitment may be difficult without making your own adapter using a black pipe cap that you cut a hole in and tap to fit.

Lab Projects Articles

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