9 replies to this topic

[rr22]

I have a small amount of Perchlorate I want to dispose of but not by burning,
Is there an easy way to render it safe?

Edited by rr22, 20 April 2008 - 05:01 AM.

[dr thrust]

not advisable to add it to the water table!, why cant you burn it? thats whats its for

[rr22]

Burning is not convenient at the moment,I was just after a way to neutralise it ,
cheers.


Edited for clarity.

Edited by rr22, 20 April 2008 - 05:07 AM.

[marble]

Decompose it with heat?

[YT2095]

what perchlorate is it?
IIRC, there are some simple photography chems that will destroy it quite safely, but I`ll need to check which one(s) first.
it would be handy to know which perc it though 1`st

[rr22]

what perchlorate is it?
IIRC, there are some simple photography chems that will destroy it quite safely, but I`ll need to check which one(s) first.
it would be handy to know which perc it though 1`st

It is the potassium variety.
Thanks.

[YT2095]

I Think there is a way using ferric chloride and HCl, mixed with an alcohol in water, this will Reduce the oxidiser in a Controlled manner, I don`t have much details though, sorry.

it May also be possible using a soln of Hydroquinone in potassium carbonate or Hydroxide, this then becomes a Very powerful reducing agent even when Very dilute (it will suck the Oxygen out of air!), this may also prove to be effective.

personally though, I`de just mix it with coarse kitchen sugar make a line of it outside, stick a fuse in one end and light it, although I can`t think WHY you`d need to destroy this chem if as you say it`s such a small amount.

if it were Large then sure, phone a disposal company and let them deal with it, but a Small amount?

[rr22]

I Think there is a way using ferric chloride and HCl, mixed with an alcohol in water, this will Reduce the oxidiser in a Controlled manner, I don`t have much details though, sorry.

it May also be possible using a soln of Hydroquinone in potassium carbonate or Hydroxide, this then becomes a Very powerful reducing agent even when Very dilute (it will suck the Oxygen out of air!), this may also prove to be effective.

Thanks for you help,if there is not a simple method I'll burn it.

[YT2095]

sorry I couldn`t have been of More help, but as a Chemist and not technically a Pyro, I only have small amounts of these myself and have never had to consider disposal of them.
and since all reactions I may do using these chems are in Milligram quantities, it`s never an issue.

although I AM curious as to WHY you want to get rid of it so badly?
can`t you just store it in a suitable container and just keep it?

[Mumbles]

I don't know how the ferric chloride and HCl would do anything. Both being in their highest normal oxidation states, one would not conveniently be reduced while the other is oxidized. Perhaps you meant ferrous chloride. Destroying oxidisers is one thing, but perchlorate is another. Perhaps if you acidified it, as YT2095 suggested, it would be easier. My personal reduction material of choice is sodium bisulfite. Something as simple as adding a sugar to the acidified mix might work.