Electrolysis liquid disposal

550Doug · Jul 17, 2019

I'm going to try electrolysis to remove rust from some parts in a 5 gallon pail. But I'm wondering how to best dispose of the resulting guck? I understand using washing soda is very harmful with a ph of about 11.

37chief · Jul 17, 2019

I have never tried that method. I heard it does something to the structure of the metal. May be nothing to it, I don't know for sure. Getting rid of the bucket of stuff I would just dig a hole and let it go. The rust will go back to the earth where it came from. I doubt the remaining solution will do any harm. I use Molasses one part to 8 parts water. I just dump it on the ground when I am through. No problem. Stan

JoeM(GA) · Jul 17, 2019

if you used a piece of steel as your anode, then you'll just have iron enriched water with a concentration of
soda ash (which is what washing soda is) I pour mine out in the yard, most grass loves it.( If you have one of those fancy grasses, pour a little out and see how it does before doing the whole thing) I usually have a 55 gallon drum full
when I'm cleaning parts, I pour out 99o/o of the liquid and then let the rust, paint, and gunk dry out in the bottom of the barrel a few days and then bag it and put in trash. Please note that this water will be so full of iron that it will stain your hands, clothes, and even sometimes the grass for a few days so don't pour it out right by the front door! You don't have to pour it out every time you use it, I've used the same water for 6-7 months, I just give it a couple of cups of soda when I notice it's not working very quickly. If I'm gonna clean a lot of smaller things often, I use one of those Home Depot buckets with the lid to snap on it until I'm ready to go again.

coshoo · Jul 17, 2019

If its rich in iron, and you have a moss problem in part of your lawn, pour it on that part. Iron is the active ingredient in all moss killers.

Electrolysis liquid disposal

550Doug

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37chief

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JoeM(GA)

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coshoo

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