Kelaniz

Anyone know why the density of H2SO4 would decrease above 98% concentration? I've noticed this in two separate charts listing the densities for various concentrations: % density (g/mL) 1 1.0049 10 1.0661 30 1.2191 90 1.8144 92 1.8240 94 1.8312 96 1.8355 98 1.8361 100 1.8305 This makes no sense to me. However, to be fair, whenever that happens, I'm usually missing something. -Kel

Has anyone tried the method where you layer equal parts Sulfur and KNO3 (or NaNO3) and bubble the gases through water? That seems to be a really simple way, provided you have the right labware, and doesn't require temperatures higher than what a basic alcohol lamp can provide. Kel

I started doing this myself after getting sick of price increases on NaOH. Not to mention dealing with paranoid shippers charging outrageously high hazmat fees. Anyway, when NaHCO3 gets to the proper temperature, it'll literally bubble (especially if you stir it). It looks like air bubbling up through wet sand at the beach. When it stops bubbling, it's done. Na2CO3 looks a little more grayish than NaHCO3, and is a little bit more free-flowing. As for the Ca(OH)2, you can still easily that at any grocery store. I buy MrsWAGES pickling lime from the canning section. It's a big, green, 16oz HDPE canister an costs around $4 where I live. There are a few brands that have additives, but the one above is 100% food-grade hydrated lime. I see it everywhere. Guess that means nobody's figured out how to make an illegal substance with it yet. :/ Kel