Sodium Hydroxide question

[Reefen]

So I bought some 100% lye for sodium hydroxide, I mixed 8gms to half cup water to add to my 1/2 gallon of soda ash to boost ph, I think I see precipitation. Did i do something wrong, thanks

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

So I bought some 100% lye for sodium hydroxide, I mixed 8gms to half cup water to add to my 1/2 gallon of soda ash to boost ph, I think I see precipitation. Did i do something wrong, thanks

Was the lye totally clear when dosed? Maybe it just has some impurities in it, such as calcium.

A lot or just a little ppt?

 

[Reefen]

Was the lye totally clear when dosed? Maybe it just has some impurities in it, such as calcium.

A lot or just a little ppt?

its just when i look at the solution with a flash light, i see a bunch of very fine particles floating, i think the lye was cloudy, didnt know it should be clear

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

its just when i look at the solution with a flash light, i see a bunch of very fine particles floating, i think the lye was cloudy, didnt know it should be clear

Was it food grade?

 

[Reefen]

no, drain cleaner

 

[Reefen]

Was it food grade?

drain cleaner

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

It may have impurities that are of no concern (such as calcium) or it may have more problematic impurities such as metals.

 

[Reefen]

It may have impurities that are of no concern (such as calcium) or it may have more problematic impurities such as metals.

shoot! okay, thanks

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Food grade is pretty cheap from Amazon.

 

[Reefen]

Food grade is pretty cheap from Amazon.

So just want to double check, the fact that I mixed the sodium hydroxide into the soda ash is ok

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

So just want to double check, the fact that I mixed the sodium hydroxide into the soda ash is ok

Yes. Mixing each to the standard concentration of my DIY recipes and then combining the two mixtures is OK.

You cannot add dry sodium hydroxide into the fully potent soda ash recipe, however. The increased sodium concentration reduces the sodium carbonate solubility.