Sodium Hydroxide question

[Reefen]

So I bought some 100% lye for sodium hydroxide, I mixed 8gms to half cup water to add to my 1/2 gallon of soda ash to boost ph, I think I see precipitation. Did i do something wrong, thanks

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

So I bought some 100% lye for sodium hydroxide, I mixed 8gms to half cup water to add to my 1/2 gallon of soda ash to boost ph, I think I see precipitation. Did i do something wrong, thanks

Was the lye totally clear when dosed? Maybe it just has some impurities in it, such as calcium.

A lot or just a little ppt?

 

[Reefen]

Was the lye totally clear when dosed? Maybe it just has some impurities in it, such as calcium.

A lot or just a little ppt?

its just when i look at the solution with a flash light, i see a bunch of very fine particles floating, i think the lye was cloudy, didnt know it should be clear

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

its just when i look at the solution with a flash light, i see a bunch of very fine particles floating, i think the lye was cloudy, didnt know it should be clear

Was it food grade?

 

[Reefen]

no, drain cleaner

 

[Reefen]

Was it food grade?

drain cleaner

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

It may have impurities that are of no concern (such as calcium) or it may have more problematic impurities such as metals.

 

[Reefen]

It may have impurities that are of no concern (such as calcium) or it may have more problematic impurities such as metals.

shoot! okay, thanks

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Food grade is pretty cheap from Amazon.

 

[Reefen]

Food grade is pretty cheap from Amazon.

So just want to double check, the fact that I mixed the sodium hydroxide into the soda ash is ok

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

So just want to double check, the fact that I mixed the sodium hydroxide into the soda ash is ok

Yes. Mixing each to the standard concentration of my DIY recipes and then combining the two mixtures is OK. :)

You cannot add dry sodium hydroxide into the fully potent soda ash recipe, however. The increased sodium concentration reduces the sodium carbonate solubility.