RE: [CH] Re: Cleaning/Sanitization
Riley J. McIntire (Riley@ChileGarden.com)
Wed, 20 Feb 2008 12:49:07 -0800
Cameron Begg [PheasantPlucker@pop-server.columbus.rr.com] spake thusly on
Wednesday, February 20, 2008 8:01 AM:
Hi all,
I'm really enjoying this thread. One of these days I'm trying my hand at
brewing--I've been envious of Cameron's setup for ages. Had the opportunity
to have one of his beers once. Nice pale ale, I think. Good stuff.
>> This also applies to KOH-based caustic, if I remember correctly.
>
> Both sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and KOH (potassium hydroxide) are
> very caustic and very corrosive. Weight for weight the sodium
> salt has more bang, but in practice I doubt you will notice the
> difference. (For you soap makers out there, KOH makes the
> potassium salts of fatty acids and the soaps that result are what
> companies like "Safer's" sell for aphid sprays.)
iirc, and I think I do, KOH is more caustic than NaOH--the activity
increases in Period 1 as the elements increase in Group number. The larger
the metal atom, the easier it is for the caustic part, that 2/3's of a water
molecule, -OH, to grab that extra electron. It's the -OH radical that's the
nasty bit. Since K (potassium, atomic weight 19) weights a lot more than Na
(sodium, AW 11), by weight you get more molecules of NaOH vs KOH. But
molecule for molecule, KOH is nastier. The nastiest would be FrOH (francium
hydroxide). But it's hot stuff in other ways, too. Right between radon and
radium.
My 2c worth of split hairs.
Cheers,
Riley
--
"To be interested in the changing seasons is a
happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in
love with spring." -George Santayana