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clivejo
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« on: January 21, 2012, 07:37:44 PM » |
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I'm looking for a source of Potassium hydroxide (KOH) in the UK or Ireland. Anyone know where I could get some?
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Countrypaul
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« Reply #1 on: January 21, 2012, 07:55:54 PM » |
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It's used alot by biodiesel makers but how much are you after? Most chemical suppliers will stock it, but often 25kg quantities. If you are only after a smallish amount, you may be able to find someone nearby who would "give" you some, try asking on http://vegetableoildiesel.co.uk/forumPaul |
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clivejo
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« Reply #2 on: January 21, 2012, 08:03:24 PM » |
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Only looking a smallish amount initially for testing purposes. I thought it was sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or caustic soda used in Biodiesel?? I have a bucket of caustic soda already.
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Philip R
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« Reply #3 on: January 21, 2012, 08:47:18 PM » |
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Clivejo,
search out Ellis and Everard.
They have depots in the mainland and N.I. They distribute all sorts of chemicals, caustic soda or Caustic potash, no problem. I used them some years ago to supply Sodium carbonate.
PhilipR
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Eleanor
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« Reply #4 on: January 21, 2012, 09:10:22 PM » |
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You could look for a supplier of soap making materials local to you  |
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I'm doing this for free, please be nice to me  "Very few batteries die a natural death ... most are murdered" |
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Countrypaul
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« Reply #5 on: January 21, 2012, 10:23:19 PM » |
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NaOH (caustic soda) and KOH (caustic potash) are both used for making Bio, the advantage of KOH is that the glycerine/soap mixture does not go solid at normal temperatures.
Another source if you are only after a kg or so is of course Ebay, thoughit may cost a little more than normal (search for casutic potash).
Paul
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Baz
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« Reply #6 on: January 22, 2012, 01:44:42 AM » |
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Suprised this is difficult to get. KOH is "washing soda" which I got my last packet from Tesco but if they have gone all branded should still be available from a small town hardware store.
NaOH is sold in 1kg plastic bottles in B&Q as drain cleaner.
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Twenty4Seven
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« Reply #7 on: January 22, 2012, 01:50:13 AM » |
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Suprised this is difficult to get. KOH is "washing soda" Not so. Washing soda is sodium carbonate. |
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2kW PV
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clivejo
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« Reply #8 on: January 22, 2012, 01:50:51 AM » |
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I need pure KOH, nothing mixed in. Soda suggests there is Sodium in it. Ill have to mix it up to the correct strength.
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Countrypaul
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« Reply #9 on: January 22, 2012, 10:32:56 AM » |
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Don't know what you want the KOH for, but bear in mind that most KOH sold is only 90% pure (whereas NaOH is usually >98% pure). In many cases you can just use an extra 10% or so to get the equivalent amount, but if you really need pure KOH you may have to pay for laboratory grade.
Paul
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clivejo
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« Reply #10 on: January 22, 2012, 11:13:55 AM » |
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Don't know what you want the KOH for, but bear in mind that most KOH sold is only 90% pure (whereas NaOH is usually >98% pure).
Ask no questions and Ill tell you no lies! |
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Philip R
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« Reply #11 on: January 22, 2012, 09:15:14 PM » |
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Clivejo,
The supplier I mentioned earlier deals in materials supplied by the chemical suppliers/ manufacturers, not some little packager who sells stuff on to B&Q at an inflated price.
PhilipR
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clivejo
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« Reply #13 on: January 24, 2012, 07:50:15 PM » |
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Is there anyway to easily test if a solution is Sodium or Potassium?
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desperate
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« Reply #14 on: January 24, 2012, 07:54:48 PM » |
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You could dip a piece of clean iron wire into the solution, then hold the wire in a clean blue gas flame on the cooker, if it shows an intense yellow colouration it's sodium, a lilac flame indicates potassium.
Desp
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Crazy old duffer
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