[kno3] Welcome sight (site)

[Don Soucy]

Hi Folks

 

A very cold December found me reading PML archived messages which lead me
here.

 

What a treat!

 

It reminds me of the early days when Rich Weaver, Mike Brown, Roland (last
name escapes me), Wouter Visser, myself  and a few others engaged in a very
informal global adventure in developing methods of producing perchlorates.
Over several years we experimented, did research, and shared discoveries and
failures via personal e-mail. Much research was done in nearby University
libraries, then passed along. Some explored the Lead Dioxide Anode while the
rest 'puttzzed' with carbon rods. Wouter became the first to successfully
apply the PBO2 anode to small scale production. By then my interest had
flagged. 

 

I only lost interest when a manufacturer gave me a rather large supply of
very pure KClO4, and my chemistry gene had just about lost all it's thrill.

 

I still like to 'tinker', and with changes in geo-political status, the need
to be able to convert molecules is more important than ever.

 

Purchases I once took completely for granted are now treated with suspicion.

 

I took a stab last night at making some KNO3 from a large bag of Hydroponic
Ca(No3)2 and another of KH2PO4 I had left from an Echinacea herb growing
adventure.

 

I made a lot of mistakes with the molarity of the Ca(NO3)2 as it was the
double salt and I was confused about the net Nitrate ion due to the 1/5 mole
of Ammonium Nitrate in it. Since the acid phosphate won't expel the NH3, It
must remain bound to the NO3.

 

I thought of basifying the solution with some KOH to knock it off.

 

I did get KNO3 however and a very 'acidic' solute left over. 

 

I'll have to do a few more experiments.

 

Really nice to see all the conversion specifics. That was always my great
fun;  seeing what I could make with what I had on hand.

 

 

Terrific Job Dave and nice to see so many familiar names from PML around.

 

 

Don Soucy

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