Processing fingers in poor man's nitric acid

[Geo]

This is my video on making and using poor man's nitric acid. I can't get the video to embed so you will have to follow the link.

https://youtu.be/-Lojvw46Kgk

 

[junkandtreasure]

Thanks Geo, a very informative video.
I noticed a couple of comments regarding a white powder residue.
I have a bag of the Hi-Yield Nitrate of Soda and there is a note
on the label that it contains 580 lbs of Calcium Carbonate CaCO3
per ton (%29).
I'm not a chemistry whiz, but I think some insoluble compound is
being produced from it reacting with either the H2SO4 or the HNO3
produced.
Perhaps some member could provide more information on the
chemistry involved.

 

[g_axelsson]

Calcium sulfate would precipitate as a white powder... it's gypsum.

Göran

 

[Geo]

Thanks junkandtreasure. I will have find out if that is the same brand wide or regionally. I may have to buy a better grade.

 

[kurtak]

Thanks junkandtreasure. I will have find out if that is the same brand wide or regionally. I may have to buy a better grade.

Geo

Have you considered using "Spectracide" brand stump remover as your nitrate source - it is potassium nitrate which I believe does not have any other additives such as the Calcium Carbonate in the Hi-Yield (its straight up potassium nitrate)

I have never had to make poor mans nitric because I have always had access to cheap nitric - I however do use the Spectracide (potassium nitrate) as a flux ingredient in "some" of my smelting flux's when I think I need an added oxidizer in the flux (its hard on crucibles so only use it if/when I think I need the added oxidizer)

The Hi-Yield (I believe) has the Calcium Carbonate (a base) in it to act as an inhibiter so that the nitrate is time released as a fertilizer - other wise the nitrate would release/dissolve to quickly & burn the plants you are fertilizing with it

Spectracide stump remover can be found in the garden department of Home Depot or Lowes &/or most other farm & garden shops

As an added note; - you have to peel the label on the back of the Spectracide bottle to see that it's potassium nitrate

Kurt

 

[denim]

Hey Geo,

I know that 'watching the bottom line' is paramount in our small scale refining world, but why not just buy some sodium nitrate from Duda Diesel which is 99% pure, and cheap- $12.50 for 5 lbs plus some shipping. I buy mine this way and 5 lbs lasts me a couple of years. I don't do fingers in poor man's nitric anymore because I have moved on to AP, as many have.



Dennis

 

[jimdoc]

This is what I see under last topic with this thread;

Posts
Last post
Re: Processing fingers in poo…

 

[FrugalRefiner]

:lol: Yeah, I see the same thing from the main index page too. :lol:

Dave

 

[denim]

Too funny! That did not show up on my phone.

 

[Geo]

Yea, I saw that too. Totally unintended. :-D Dudadiesel is actually about three miles from my house.

 

[Geo]

Thanks Kurt. I do know about the stump remover but it just didn't cross my mind.