Re: potassium vs. ammonium citrate pd developer

Thanks, Loris,

I should thank Philippe, too--I filed this bit of knowledge in my alt note
file.

Well, since I was in a bind I mixed up the potassium citrate and used it,
but I did not mix it with the remaining ammonium citrate for fear of some
reaction between potassium and ammonium. One is acid, one alkaline, no?

SO, at least I can safely report to the list that potassium citrate and
ammonium citrate seem to be both the same speed and color and, by my eye,
interchangeable (phew). And then I had to race into town and bum some ferric
oxalate off of a student, so I can at least print multiple copies of the
negatives I have if I can't print more negatives because of no printer ink
for the 2400 in town...

I also have some sodium citrate. I bought all three citrates a long while
back when I was first writing my alt process condensed book, to test them
all side by side. Nothing like necessity to force me into finally doing it!
Chris
----- Original Message -----
From: "Loris Medici" <mail@loris.medici.name>
To: <alt-photo-process-l@usask.ca>
Sent: Monday, April 10, 2006 4:59 AM
Subject: RE: potassium vs. ammonium citrate pd developer

> I've just found that making ammonium citrate was already discussed in
> the list.
>
> See:
> /lists/alt-photo-process/2003/feb03/0452.htm
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Loris Medici [mailto:mail@loris.medici.name]
> Sent: 10 Nisan 2006 Pazartesi 13:38
> To: alt-photo-process-l@usask.ca
> Subject: RE: potassium vs. ammonium citrate pd developer
>
>
>
> Terry, don't panic... I know very well that mixing ammonia and citric
> acid will form ammonium citrate (I mixed potassium oxalate and sodium
> citrate before, therefore I'm not that much uninformed about
> neutralization reactions). What I don't know is:
>
> 1) the exact proportions of the chemicals in order to end up with a
> neutral salt solution
> 2) if the reaction cause too much effervescence and/or heat and/or
> something else that may cause harm
>
> That's why I specifically added the comment "...I neither know the
> proportions you should use, nor know if that's a dangerous reaction! I'm
> just mentioning this for letting a chemist chime in and clarify this
> issue..." marked in red and suggested that a "chemist" should intervene
> (I repeat: a chemist). Please do not warp what I said or act like we are
> totally ignorant about chemicals - this is highly disrespectful.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: TERRYAKING@aol.com [mailto:TERRYAKING@aol.com]
> Sent: 10 Nisan 2006 Pazartesi 13:11
> To: alt-photo-process-l@usask.ca
> Subject: Re: potassium vs. ammonium citrate pd developer
>
>
>
> Both Chris and Loris
>
> Whatever you do do not treat chemistry like that !
>
> It's a very good way to an early grave and to taking a bus load of
> friends, relations and students with you. Seemingly innocuous things
> mixed together can prove toxic or explosive. Make sure that you know
> what you are doing first !
>
> I have had experience of using potassium citrate, the old fashioned cure
> for cystitis, for developing platinum prints, I found that it was more
> trouble than it was worth. After a time one begins to realise why people
> have been using potassium oxalate for such a long time..
>
> PLEASE, PLEASE, TREAT CHEMICALS WITH RESPECT.
>
>
> Terry
>
>
Received on Mon Apr 10 09:09:48 2006