Observational Electrolyte Test Series Summary

The Observational Electrolyte Test Series was intended to provide a body of work where the electrolytes were subjected to cooking, mostly by way of just two plates. The results were then observed and recorded. The primary intent was to observe particulate and scum formation along with additional data as it was observed. While I attempted an observational assessment of gas production, it was not a parameter or goal of the test.

To date I've tested the following electrolytes.

• Potassium Hydroxide (KOH)
  
• Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH)
  
• Vinegar(CH₃COOH)
  
• CLR (Calcium, Lime & Rust Cleaner, proprietary mix)
  
• Baking Soda (NaHCO₃)
  
• Baking Soda/Vinegar (NaHCO₃/CH₃COOH)
  
• Magnesium Sulfate (MgSO₄·7H₂O)
  
• Sea Salt/Sodium Silicate (NaCl)
  
• Calcium Hydroxide (CaOH)
  
• Ferrous Sulfate (FeSO₄·H₂O)
  
• Borax (Na₂B₄O₇·10H₂O)
  
• Kool-Aid (Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid, others)
  

I note that for the purposes of this test, there were three classifications of effect and two that I recorded. Particulate is the formation of solids in the electrolyte, usually brown. Particulate usually settles on the bottom after testing with the exception of vinegar. Scum is the formation of a surface viscus mass that interferes with bubbles bursting. Scum does not seem to have a color of it's own and usually dissolves back into the water within a few minutes of electrolysis. Foam is similar to scum in the interference of bubble bursting, but without direct observation of a substance on the surface. Foam usually lingers on the surface for awhile after electrolysis. Foam measurements were not taken, but foam formation did cause me to abort the CLR test.

I determined early on that using distilled water or reverse osmosis purified water has by far the least effect on particulate formation. This in turn causes me to assert that ordinary tap water with high mineral content should be avoided when performing electrolysis. Softened water is also better than plain tap water, but is still second to distilled or reverse osmosis purified water.

Despite some inconsistencies in the tests these are the results. I may add tests to this series but felt there was enough of a body of work to produce a summary.





I also note that compounds containing Magnesium or Calcium should be avoided as they leave hard water deposits on the container and plates.

NOTE: Wear hearing protection when igniting a foam buildup!!! Igniting foam makes a sound at least as loud as a high caliber rifle or shotgun.

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

Next:
Previous: Grape Kool-Aid Long Term Particulate Comparison Test

Grape Kool-Aid Long Term Particulate Comparison Test

I perform a quick comparison between the Grape Kool-Aid Long duration sample and two samples from the short term tests.





It was bit disappointing to see that the Kool-Aid broke down after an extended period. This does give me ideas on new things to try.

Electrolytes & Electrolyte Testing Articles

Next: Observational Electrolysis Test Using Potassium Hydroxide
Previous: Overnight Observational Test with Grape Kool-Aid

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
Previous: Observational Electrolyte Test with Grape Kool-Aid

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

Precipitate Comparison Test; Borax and Sea Salt with Calcium Silicate

I perform a quick precipitate comparison between borax and sea salt with calcium silicate. The difference is startling to say the least.





I note that much of the precipitate has got to be the eroded material from one of the plates. This can only mean that there is a high concentration of Chromium in the sea salt sample and a simple 1/4 teaspoon of ferrous sulfate will not be enough to reduce the Cr(VI) to Cr(III).

Electrolyte & Electrolyte Testing Articles

Related: Observational Test Using Sea Salt
After Electrolysis Observations, Sea Salt and Calcium Silicate
Next: Observational Electrolyte Test with Grape Kool-Aid
Previous: Observational Electrolyte Test Using Ferrous Sulfate

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

After Electrolysis Observations; Sea Salt & Calcium Silicate

I make some significant observations regarding sea salt and calcium silicate.





My Observations

1. The amount of particulate is extreme and has a dark almost black appearance.

2. CLR does NOT cleanup the plates worth a darn.

3. The Positive(?) plate is eroded pretty badly. The erosion is most notable along the plate edges and pitting pretty bad on the side of the plate facing the negative plate.

4. The gunk even blackens the CLR.

5. The temperature electrode was pitted as well.

6. I suspect if there ever was a candidate for Cr(VI) or Hexavalent Chromium reduction, this sample is it. The mere evidence of erosion of one of the plates is proof enough that there is significant chromium in the particulate.

Electrolyte & Electrolyte Testing Articles

Related: Precipitate Comparison Test; Borax and Sea Salt with Calcium Silicate
Next: Observational Electrolyte Test Using Ferrous Sulfate
Previous: Observational Electrolysis Test Using Sea Salt

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

Results of Straining Particulate from Baking Soda Electrolyte

I show the results of straining particulate from baking soda electrolyte.




Yep, looks like a dirty diaper to me!

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
Next:
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

Electrolysis Test Using Magnesium Sulfate

I conducted electrolysis testing using magnesium sulfate(Epsom Salts) as the eletrolyte and observed the results.



My Observations

1. The scum is must likely caused by the magnesium.

2. The scum builds for arround 40 minutes and then seems to dissipate around 50% towards the end of the test.

3. The brown particulate forms in the highest quantity to date.

4. Bubble formation seems to be good for the concentration and amperage

Observations of Electrolyzed Vinegar After Settling

I make some quick observations of vinegar after settling for a day and a half.





My Observations:

Pure vinegar remains cloudy(about like grapefruit juice) after one and a half days.

Some white/chalky particulate settled to the bottom. The volume of the settled substance was similar to the baking soda and vinegar recipe I tried earlier.

The plates have some white substance on them, about like the brown particulate found on the plates after Sodium Hydroxide and also Baking Soda.

CLR removes the white substance, but about half as fast as the brown particulate.

Brown Particulate Comparison between Baking Soda and Baking Soda w/ Vinegar

I compare the brown particulate that accumulates from hydroxy production between using baking soda and baking soda with vinegar as the electrolytes.



My Observations:

The baking soda only has considerably more brown particulate than the mix of baking soda and vinegar.

The baking soda only particulate is slightly darker than the mix.

I think someone is right about Baking Soda and vinegar as a mix. Playing with the receipe should yield better results.