From: Joe Portale (jportale@gci-net.com)
Date: 06/08/01-09:45:05 PM Z
Instead of going through all this, why don't you just pop over to the auto
parts store and buy some battery acid? Battery acid is sulfuric acid. I
forgot what the strength is, but it will be listed on the side of the
carton. If not, ask the guy behind the counter for a MSDS when you buy it.
(they must supply it on request).
Messing around with old batteries can be dangerous. Besides, the chemistry
going on inside a battery is not pure. There will be trace amounts of lead,
tin, antinomy, copper and some other stuff floating around in it. I think
the cost for a liter of battery acid was about $4.00 the last time I looked.
Just my two cents worth.
Joe Portale
Tucson, AZ
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Edwards" <edw4@mindspring.com>
To: <alt-photo-process-l@sask.usask.ca>
Sent: Friday, June 08, 2001 7:54 PM
Subject: Re: Basic chemistry question
> I probably shouldn't reply to this, but ......
>
> ken watson wrote:
>
> > I have a process where I have discovered that I can use sulfuric acid to
> > improve image quality. As most know there is a large charge to ship
> > "dangerous" stuff across the country. AND, I see numerous car batteries
(
> > lead acid ) waiting in stacks at tire and other stores. Knowing that
they
> > started out with sulfuric acid in them I was thinking / wondering what
it
> > would take to re-cycle this material into a few images?
> >
> > SO here are the questions:
> >
> > 1. How do I refine the acid from the batteries to get relatively pure
> > sulfuric acid?
>
> Try your idea with dilute sulfuric first - conc. H2SO4 is truly nasty to
work
> with, and even diluted will quite readily take all your clothes to shreds
and
> leave you a few skin patches such as the ones I earned 20 years ago.
Boiling is
> a great way to concentrate it and also damage your lungs for life. Go ask
a
> battery shop if you want the straight stuff (and also some good advice on
> handling).
>
> > 2. How do I measure the purity / strength of the acid? Is pH the best
> > guide?
>
> Get a simple hygrometer (like a large turkey baster with a graduated
float) from
> your friendly auto store (Checker, Pep Boys,...), pull up some acid (from
the
> battery) with the bulb, and see where the float floats.
>
> > 3. I can not remember if a charged battery or a discharged battery has
the
> > most acid?
>
> Charged.
>
> > I live in a 200 sq. ft house and plan to do this in my bathroom.....NO
NO It
> > will be done outside! Most likely in the garden where acidifying the
soil
> > would be an advantage.
>
> I suggest not. You will undoubtedly acidify the knees and cuffs of your
pants,
> which will allow you to choose a new wardrobe. If you have children or
> non-chemists around, they could be severly hurt or blinded by enjoying the
> garden. If you really want to try this on some prints, FIRST, buy a large
bag of
> sodium bicarbonate (very cheap) for cleanup and to neutralize mistakes and
the
> errant, tiny splashes which always occur with liquid bubbles bursting.
THEN,
> work with a small amount at a table away from your house, with eye
protection,
> gloves, a bucket of water and the bicarb close by. ALWAYS add the acid to
the
> water, never the reverse.
> BTW, we (at the USDA lab where I have (mis)spent 2/3 of my life) had a
PhD
> try to keep sulfuric acid to use on his soil at home. The plastic bottles
burst
> as the acid continued about its duty of digesting organics (cotton lint,
in this
> case), and sprayed 12-15 feet up onto a wall and ceiling. I got to clean
it up.
> - John Edwards, Tucson, Arizona ( I'm not a chemist, I just play on on
TV)
> p.s. - consider a friendlier acid
> [replies from Richard Sullivan would be greatly appreciated
at
> this juncture]
>
>
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