Carbon bags with orange spots..

[Hobster]

Originally posted by Randy Holmes-Farley
that is was not needed. I dunno

I just meant that I'm not sure I'd risk using HF for a experiment that I'm not sure what I'd do with the answer.

Ahhh, back to reality

[TippyToeX]

Originally posted by Randy Holmes-Farley
I just meant that I'm not sure I'd risk using HF for a experiment that I'm not sure what I'd do with the answer.

Was that so hard to say? Or did the sarcastic rolleyes make ya feel better?

Thanks for your help guys.

[Konadog]

Come on Amy, at least you found out what to nuke it with All pun intended!

[bertoni]

Oxalic acid will remove rust, and it's not as dangerous as the HF (the chemical HF...) sounds.

[TippyToeX]

Originally posted by Konadog
Come on Amy, at least you found out what to nuke it with All pun intended!

I'm all for that.

Oxalic acid, I can find that if need be. Would it remove bacteria as well?

[bertoni]

I got mine from the Photographer's Formulary:

www.photoformulary.com/

[TippyToeX]

Cool, thanks for the link!

[Hobster]

Amy,

Go to the grocery store or what ever and in the cleaning section find some BarKeepers Friend. It's main ingredient is oxalic acid. Really great stuff. I use it in the kitchen, bath,boat, car.

http://www.barkeepersfriend.com/index2.htm

[jfinch]

Why not just try the Whink as Bomber suggests (just don't get the whink on you)?

[TippyToeX]

Thanks Hobster.

Jon, I will use a rust remover. Matter of fact I will do that this weekend.

What I still don't understand is.. if any kind of rust remover is powerful enough to dissolve rust, wouldn't it get rid of anything else this might be?

[Hobster]

Just be sure to wear gloves, eye protection, SCBA, and your Tevek suit. But have fun!
Bet you sorry you ever asked this question

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

What I still don't understand is.. if any kind of rust remover is powerful enough to dissolve rust, wouldn't it get rid of anything else this might be?

I don't think it will even tell us if the iron is inside of bacteria, or just an inorganic precipitate, but it's Bomber's experiment.

FWIW, I am the Chemical Hygiene Officer for our location of Genzyme, and I have developed a list of high hazard chemicals that even experienced PhD lab chemists cannot use in chemical fume hoods without applying to me in writing and proving that they can do so safely. On this list are 50 or so chemicals, including hydrogen cyanide, sarin, arsine, and a host of other highly dangerous chemicals.

Included on that list are both ozone and HF.

[jfinch]

We go through about 30,000 lbs of HF per month. Definately a nasty chemical.

but it's Bomber's experiment.

Yeah, I'm wondering what's going to come of this too. But if it is iron where did it come from?

[TippyToeX]

I can appreciate how nasty the HF is. I don't want to use it, nor a diluted chemical like the Oxalic acid unless it is something that will help figure out what is happening. That's all I am after.

If that can't be done then so be it. I just put in a new brand of carbon to see if anything will happen to it. I feel like I have to try something to find out what it might be. Bad, good, of no consequence. I just like knowing.

[bertoni]

Well, if you are interested, we might be able to find someone with a microscope to take a look at a sample. Would that tell the tale?

[TippyToeX]

If it could tell the tale I'd send it to whom ever would be willing and be very thankful for it.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

The question is whether anyone has the knowledge to diagnose it by its look. I'm not sure what iron-containing bacteria look like. My guess would be that someone could tell. Probably you, Bomber.

[Habib]

Conditioning factors of iron ochre biofilm formation on geotextile filters

Marcos Barreto de Mendonca, MaurÃ*cio Ehrlich, and Magali Christe Cammarota
Can. J. Geotech./Rev. Can. Geotech. 40(6): 1225-1234 (2003)

Full text (PDF 599 kb)
Abstract: This paper presents a study of ochre formation on geotextile filters. Ochre is a substance found sticking to solid surfaces of drainage systems and may cause clogging. Ochre formation is discussed based on the new concepts of biofilm development. Ochre formation is the result of microbial colonization and its affinity to iron compounds naturally found in seepage water. The aerobic–nonaerobic interface in drainage systems is a very favourable locale for optimum development of iron bacteria. Laboratory studies were done to verify the influence of intrinsic characteristics of the geotextiles and environment on ochre formation. Because flow condition was not considered in the tests, however, these results may not represent real field performance of geotextile filters. Tests of biofilm formation were conducted in Erlenmeyer flasks containing culture mediums for iron bacteria and geotextile samples. Nonwoven polyester, nonwoven polypropylene, and woven polypropylene geotextiles were used in the tests. The study was performed considering different levels of iron concentration, available dissolved oxygen, and pH. Laboratory tests have shown the fundamental importance of iron bacteria activity, type of geotextile, and environmental conditions on ochre formation.

[Habib]

Originally posted by Randy Holmes-Farley
that is was not needed. I dunno

I just meant that I'm not sure I'd risk using HF for a experiment that I'm not sure what I'd do with the answer.

I agree.

Besides that, IMO, very likely no conclusive answers would be obtained.

And if a conclusive answer would be obtained what would one do with it?

[TippyToeX]

Originally posted by Habib
And if a conclusive answer would be obtained what would one do with it?

I would quench my curiosity with that info.

"umm Amy, why is their orange goo on your carbon baggies?"

"oh that silly old thing, it's just ochre forming on the geotextile filters"

[bertoni]

I thought you'd auction it on Ebay...

[TippyToeX]

Oooo Sweet idea!

Buy Now!! Ultra Mega RARE!!
Do you have a baggy encrusted with ochre for your tank!?! If not what are you waiting for!?! Place your bid NOW. This one of a kind bacteria is LIVE & ACTIVE and waiting for you. Act now before it's too late



This should fund the tank of my dreams don't you think?

[fahz]

Boomer I have orange spots inside my CA reactor tubing you can come down the hill and test it if you want but it more fun to see what Amys going to do.

Fahz

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

have orange spots inside my CA reactor tubing you can come down the hill

Down the hill? I thought he lived at the bottom of a giant open pit?

[fahz]

His work is the pits.


Duluth is all hills and some of us have to live in the valley.

Fahz