Hello,
I’m wondering how to treat Sparex solution in order to be able to
dispose of it into a septic tank system, if that’s possible.
Otherwise, what’s the best way to get rid of it in an environmentally
conscious way?. Does neutralization with baking soda leave a residue
suitable for landfill?.
Dar
depends on the country you are in. probably for your personal septic
tank system neutralization with sodium bicarbonate and dilution with
water (lots of it) would work. The bicarb reaction will produce
carbon dioxide, so the reaction should only be done in a very well
ventilated location. In the US, the SARA 313 reportable quantity of
sulfuric acid (sparex main ingredient) is 1000 lbs in a spill. if you
have a considerable quantity, the only safe way is the use of a
professional hazardous waste disposal company.
john
Hi John,
In the US, the SARA 313 reportable quantity of sulfuric acid (sparex main ingredient) is 1000 lbs in a spill. if you have a considerable quantity, the only safe way is the use of a professional hazardous waste disposal company.
If read the label on the Sparex #2 container, I think you’ll find
the main active ingredient is sodium bisulfate not sulfuric acid. The
stuff used in Sparex is the byproduct of the chemical industry & is
not refined. Hence the brown scum usually associated with Sparex. If
you want to avoid the scum & get a pickle that’s as good or better at
lower cost, use Ph Minus. This is one of the conditioners for
swimming pools & spas. Depending on where you live it’s sold in pool
supply stores, grocery, drug, hardware stores & home centers.
Dave
bicarbonate of soda is fine. Though it usually turns dep blue- so I
am wondering what’s in the water you have to cause it to turn green.
anyway- saving it to use for copper plating is always a good use of
the used sparex. Alternative to Sparex though and far cheaper is
buying Ph Down, now on “end of season sale” at most major retaiers
that sell pool supplies- a 5 lb container is around 2 dollars at my
local Wal-mart. I stock up for the year in September! It has the same
percentage of sodium bisulfate as sparex brand, without the
disgusting brown (clay residue) filler Krohn industry adds to simply
add weight to the product. When I contacted Krohn about the first
batch I had that developed that horrid brown goop on top years ago
they acted as though I wanted to steal their formula. since then i
do everything I can to avoid buying their product at such an inflated
price as it is. Ph down is sometimes a few percent more active
principal than sparex anyway. rer
Krohn industry adds to simply add weight to the product. When I contacted Krohn about the first batch I had that developed that horrid brown goop on top years ago they acted as though I wanted to steal their formula. since then i do everything I can to avoid buying their product at such an inflated price as it is. Ph down is sometimes a few percent more active principal than sparex anyway
Back in the 70’s Sparex didn’t have the brown gunk. Later I bought
in bulk from a local supplier what I thought was Sparex that they
repackaged so I had them order me a 50 lb bucket. I made one batch
out of the 50 lb bucket and called Krohn and gave them an ear full. I
have since switched to Griffith’s pickle which I can get in a 50 lb
bucket. The stuff my local supplier was repackaging was pickle
distributed by Grobet. Living in Colorado where backyard swimming
pools aren’t so common the local Wal-Mart or Home Depot or Lowes
don’t carry pool chemicals. I had to chase down a small pool company.
They had the PH Down but it was pricey given their small market.
I still have that almost full bucket of Sparex and my offer still
stands. I will give it to anyone who will come pick it up or pay for
shipping. Either that or its going to the next toxic chemical drop
off that the county I live in does twice a year. That is if I
remember…
Rick Copeland
Silversmith and Lapidary Artisan
Rocky Mountain Wonders
Colorado Springs, Colorado
rockymountainwonders.com