Re: chemistry question
Peter Marshall (petermarshall@cix.compulink.co.uk)
Tue, 12 May 1998 19:37 +0000
In-Reply-To: <3.0.2.16.19980511161240.0f0fad92@pimacc.pima.edu>
> Hello all,
>
> I was wondering, is it possible to substitute sodium sulfate for sodium
> bisulfate. These are both acid salts of sulfuric acid. I have a formula
> for a film bleach that calls for the bisulfate....and alas all I have is
> the sodium sulfate. thanks in advance
>
> Joe P.
> Tucson, AZ
>
No, almost certainly not. The bisulphate is probably used to increase the
acidity, and the sulphate will not work. However it may be worth reading
the small print on some products designed for removing lime stains from
baths, WCs etc as some of these used to be reasonably pure sodium
bisulphate (also known as sodium hydrogen sulphate.)
You might find another acidic substance works as well (either on its own
or together with the sodium sulphate) - perhaps acetic acid or tartaric
acid or phosphoric acid - or of course sulphuric acid. Even cola may do as
some contains enough phosphoric acid to work as a rust remover.
If you are at all a chemist it is easy to make a solution of sodium
bisulphate (but then you wouldn't be asking your question!)
Peter Marshall
On Fixing Shadows and elsewhere:
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