I am a soap maker who uses sodium hydroxide as part of the soap making process. I recently ordered a small plastic container of sodium hydroxide. When it arrived and I tried to use it (pour it out of the original container) the granules flew out of the bottle in all directions. Is there some way to de activate this charge as this product is dangerous to work with already without having it flying out at me in all directions.
Thanks for any help or suggestions.
2007-03-16 03:07:55 · 3 answers · asked by jmmil2011 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
I am most interested in how to eliminate product from flying out of container. Is there a way to de activate charge while it is still in bottle?
2007-03-16 03:32:08 · update #1
It isn't all that dangerous to work with. The problem you have is probably static electricity, since no compound carries a net charge, and probably occurs as the granules rub against each other and against the plastic container. If you want the static to go away, all I can suggest is that you keep the granules in metal containers- NaOH does not corrode metal, and once it's in there any charge that builds up will reside in the metal, and can easily be earthed to remove it.
2007-03-16 03:33:33 · answer #1 · answered by Ian I 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like a case of static electricity buildup. It's not uncommon for chemicals to acquire a charge. Some are worse than others. Have you tried getting the NaOH in pea granule form? Those are big enough that they probably would not be able to fly from the static charge buildup. Also, you might look into a static charge neutralizer. I believe they are available.
2007-03-16 10:35:55 · answer #2 · answered by Icanhelp 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Mop it up with a very dilute solution of HCL .
Sodium hydroxide is a strong base.
HCL is an acid
After they are mix and if u work for a PH 7 it will be salt and water.
2007-03-16 10:19:18 · answer #3 · answered by JOHNNIE B 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋