[SEL] Electrolysis

[Jeff Allen]

Peter,

I only played with this a couple times last winter. So far I haven't had a 
need to try it again, but that will change soon. All my experiments have 
been in a five gallon bucket with a small battery charger. I don't think I 
ever got over 8 amps on the meter, and maybe not that high. For reference 
that was a Maytag gas tank bottom. My biggest problem was surface rust 
formed immediately even though I blew the parts off right away.

There was quite a discussion on the list about this, and John Culp came up 
with sodium silicate. So as not to ramble the solution we use in the ultra 
sonic cleaner at work has this in it for rust prevention. It works, several 
weeks, and is paintable. I will use it on my next experiment.

Now to your questions.

>
> 1) How does the current requirement change with surface area of the part 
> being
> cleaned? Linearly? Logarithmically?

I found the distance from the object to the electrode was the biggest factor 
in the amount of current. Size didn't seem to make a difference. The number 
of electodes also seems to have an effect on current. My latest experiment 
has a piece of stretched sheet metal surrounding the inside of the entire 
bucket. Seems to work pretty good with that surface area. Have a few 
pictures if you want them.
>
> 2) How long does the solution last?

Mine lasted for months.
>
> 3) What disposal methods are used for spent solution?

Haven't done it yet. The water evaporated over the summer. Near as I can 
tell I have baking soda and iron in the bottom of the bucket. I'll save it 
for the roses next spring. Heard iron is great for them.
>
> 4) Can the solution be topped up with more Soda or is it a one-shot 
> process?

It only takes a small amout of baking soda or whatever you use. Water level 
dropps, mix a little more in a gallon jug and top it off.

That's the best I can do for you Peter. I will tell you it does work, but 
the parts have to be clean, no grease, etc.
Here is a link you might check out. 
http://www.angelfire.com/tx/hotube/electro.html

Have fun, and keep us posted on your experiences.

Regards,

Jeff Allen
Arvada, Colorado USA

http://oldengine.org/members/allen/
http://frapa.us/