Caustic soda that contains Sodium nitrate

[smsreefer]

Well it's time to recharge my DI Resin and the only Caustic soda I can find contains Sodium nitrate too.
I don't recall seeing that in my old bottle.

Is this blend good for recharging the resin ?

Just wanted to check with the chemists first.

Thanks,
David

 

[bertoni]

I think sodium nitrate should rinse out well. I wouldn't worry all that much. Maybe a real chemist will have more to say.

 

[smsreefer]

A quick search before I posted showed it is very water soluble, so I don't really think there would be a problem but I just wanted to get some reassurance. lol

I know squat about chemicals and mixing them.
I do know Sodium nitrate is used as a preservative, in pyrotechnics and fertilizers. [ mix,mix BOOM for all I knew lol

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Well, the issue is how much nitrate (NO3-) is there relative to the hydroxide (OH-). They will be competing to bind to the positively charged sites on the resin. You need hydroxide to take up all of the binding sites on the resin to recharge a DI resin. Without knowing the relative affinity of each ion for the resin and the concentration of each, you cannot determine whether the resin will come out with substantial amounts of nitrate on it or not.

Consequently, I think it would be a poor choice. Sorry.

 

[smsreefer]

Well, that is what I needed to know Randy.
I had no idea on a molecular level if it would make any difference or not.
I do not know if the sodium nitrate is added to deter use by bathtub drug "chemists" possibly or what.
I know several years back I had a heck of a time finding true Red Devil Lye and was told it was due to illegal drug trade's usage.

Thanks for your help, greatly appreciated.
David

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

You're welcome.

I'm not sure why it is there either. I can't see how it would help clear a drain, but making it nonuseful for nefarious purposes may be it.

 

[bertoni]

Ah, well, sometimes that background in computer science isn't that useful. :lol:

 

[troyman]

both you and randy are always a big help i take both your advises all the time thanks