KOH or NaOH? ...THAT'S the question!

[gas-mechanic]

[Looking In]

[waterbard]

[gas-mechanic]

Thank you, both, for the quick responses!

Looking In... I did do the 'search' for both KOH and NaOH, and there were about 200 results that way. I did read through many posts, and I think I remember seeing the one you quoted, but it must have just mixed into my already-scrambled brain by that time! LOL

So, by reading that again, I must conclude that KOH is the better of the two, certainly considering the source! Thanks again, Bob! (I seem to say that a lot lately!)

We are using T-306 s.s. tubes inside sched. 40 pvc pipe, so I'm hoping that is all compatible.

waterbard... I haven't heard of 'Orshlens' or 'Dollar General', but I will 'MapQuest' for a local TrueValue store right now! Thanks for the tip!

Is there a particular brand name of KOH I should be looking for? I seriously doubt that if I ask for some 'KOH' they will know what I am talking about!

Side note... I searched for Red Devil lye on eBay just as a curiosity, and there was an auction for an 18oz. container for ONLY $17.50 + $5.50 s/h.
Is that a good price for the stuff?

[waterbard]

One of my wife's friends has her own soap making business. She buys potassium hydroxide by the pound. I got some from here a while back. Dangerous stuff.

got to a natural beauty store maybe, that makes their own soaps. Better yet, might wanna have your wife do it, unless you are into being naturally beautiful...

[gas-mechanic]

Thanks again, waterbard, but based on Bob B's post quoted earlier, I would prefer using KOH instead. Just looking for some kind of brand name to search for.

...and as far as my 'personal condition', I think I AM a 'natural beauty'! *stroking my lovely, masculine face*

...and they might not let me out of the store so I can be their 'AFTER' poster-child!

[waterbard]

KOH = potassium hydroxide

[gas-mechanic]

...is my face RED!!

*slapping forehead* My apologies, Bud! Yes, KOH is potassium hydroxide!!

As I've stated before... I'm pretty good at tangible things like mechanics, photography, building web pages, fishing, etc., but theoretical stuff can really mix me up! LOL

Soooo, again... is there some brand name® for this KOH, or is it just the chemical name I should look for?

I know it's still early here (11:45am), but I think I'll find a shady spot on the patio and contemplate the nice, puffy, white clouds floating by for a while. ...maybe I'll see one that looks like 'Goofy' or something! That should re-align my brain for a bit!

[Looking In]

[waterbard]

[gas-mechanic]

Again, thank you both for your help.

Looking In... can you give me some idea how much of this stuff we would need to make 1 gallon of electrolyte? It seems like having to buy 50 pounds at almost any price would be expensive, and a waste!
...or could you send us a couple of pounds? LOL

...and I looked up '' and know what it means now. Thought it was a typo at first! Boy, you guys are so smart in this group!!

We still don't know how often we would need to add or change the e-lyte either! Is there some test that can be done to check the ...
...ummmm... (what's the word for the consistency of the solution? ...you know... the percent of the mixture of the KOH and distilled water?) *brain-fart*

waterbard... Does this mean that we need to put on rubber aprons, long gloves and face shields? I'm not being a wise-guy here, I'm being very serious! ...and is it best to mix and pour this solution outdoors? Would we need to use a gas mask of some sort? That avatar I use is just that... I have never even had a gas mask on! LOL

Yeah, we'll have a gallon of vinegar close at hand! Back when I was a mechanic, I used to get battery acid on me sometimes, and the holes in my jeans didn't show up until I washed them! Now I mostly wear shorts, so I wouldn't want holes showing up on my legs after I shower!! LOL

[waterbard]

I use my shop disposable latex gloves and my face shield that I use for sanding. KOH reacts with water, so just keep it off your skin.

Just a quick chemistry lesson, if you have pure K, it will react with H2O giving you:

2K + 2(H2O)

2KOH + H2

So do it in an open area, with no sparks or open flames.

[BEMET]

[freddyflatfoot]

[gas-mechanic]

G'Day, Gents! Thanks (again) for all the input!

BEMET... I checked out , and they seem to only have NaOH, no KOH. ...and they stick to the very strict laws regarding this stuff. You have to snail-mail in the HazMat release form before you place an order, plus there are the 'hazardous material charge' and also a 'special packaging cost' to meet the DOT (Department Of Transportation) regulations! ...PLUS the 'usual freight charge'!! Oh, and they are shown to be in Cayce, SC, not FL - unless you have dealt with a different company. But thanks for the info!

Now, I just did a search for 'KOH' on eBay, and here are several 'result' pages I found:

This one has these cautions about shipping: "We carefully bag 1-pound net weight super zippit 5" x 8" x 0.004 heavy bags in a climate controlled atmoshere to avoid moisture absorption. Also, FYI, please be advised...The United States Post Office will not accept KOH for mailing due to it being a "Hazardous, Caustic - white powder." So if you are honest with them about what you are shipping, this cannot go USPS, it must be shipped UPS or Fed Ex!"...


This one is NaOH and shows a severe caution about shipping regulations:
"Note that shipment of any amount of pure sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide by USPS Mail is not allowed and can be subject to large regulatory penalty liabilities. Shipment by any means other than ground-only transport or in individual containers of greater than 2.2 lbs requires special permits, special handling and incurs considerable extra extra "hazmat" fees of $20 or more per shipment. Packing in plastic bags is not allowed! Sellers who do not follow these rules are shipping illegally and endanger the future availability of this product. Do not buy from sellers who ship illegally! Penalty fees of $5,000 or more may be assessed for improper shipping!":
...Notice the 'extra EXTRA' hazmat fees? LOL


...no info about Federal regulations or any shipping cautions at all!: LOL


This one shows important warnings and - "Please note that before we can ship this product, you must complete and submit the lye release form found here: https://www.saltcitysoapworks.com/forms/lyerelease.html -
This is a requirement for each and every sale of lye. In addition, please note that Sodium Hydroxide cannot be shipped outside of the lower 48 states, and it must be shipped via ground freight - no USPS or air freight shipping is allowed. As a fellow soapmaker, I know how frustrating it can be to find needed ingredients at a fair price. I make my living by selling soap and other products from a brick-and-mortar business, so I order supplies in bulk - and I'm happy to pass along the savings. The supplies I offer here are the same ingredients I use in making the products I sell in my shop. You can be assured they are all top quality. Since the discontinuation of Red Devil, many newcomers are offering lye for sale, particularly here on eBay. Why buy from a company who doesn't make soap, or an occasional soaper who is difficult to contact, when you can buy from a full-time soapmaker with a brick and mortar business?"
...I would be tempted to buy from this Seller because of the sincerity of the info:


This one has an "ALERT" section that has a legal disclaimer:


...this next one even has a 'legal disclaimer' on the auction! ...and sends it USPS Priority Mail!!!
...COMPLETELY ILLEGAL!!! LOL
"You are Bidding on 1 pound of potassium hydroxide lye, this is used for making liquid soaps. This is purchased bulk and repackaged. This is packaged in ziplock bags double bagged and then in a trash can liner for safety. By Purchasing this item you agree to the following: "I fully understand that the material I am purchasing is considered hazardous and could cause bodily harm. I assume all responsibility for its safe use and proper storage. I am at least 18 years of age."


This one says he can legally ship less than 2.2 lbs. without HazMat fees...


Also, all the KOH auctions show the 'purity' of the product ranging around 91+% to about 93+%. I guess this is also important when buying.

For the immediate time, we have decided to forego any electrolyte additives and finish our 'test' cell, fixing any leaks and then testing the volume, pressure, temps, adding a (distilled water) level gauge and adding a low water shut-off switch, and perfecting a scrubber and bubbler system.

This way we will be better-versed in the mechanical aspects of the entire system before we move up to the 'big-boy' class of cell with 80 or so plates, etc.

Thanks again for all your input and help!