Chemistry_Keegan
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Filtering Chemicals
I have just recently obtained some coffee filters for filtering off allot of my reacted chemicals that are full of particles and gunk. Recently, I
have been filtering off a solution of sodium aluminate (and various other salts that I mentioned in another post). No matter how many times I filter
it, I always seem to be left with a bunch of goopy particles floating around in the solution after letting it sit for a while. Would this have
something to do with the fact that sodium aluminate is corrosive, and is slowly eating away at the filter? I don't believe that the other salts
(sodium nitrate and sodium chloride for those who are curious) should really affect anything.
Similarly, I have also been filtering a solution of iron three chloride with the same filters, and after letting it sit for a while, a brighter orange
liquid seems to settle at the bottom of the solution. I tried filtering it out a couple times, but it passes right through the filter just like the
rest of the liquid. Although, I do not seem to notice the particles like in the sodium aluminate solution (although they may still be there and I just
don't notice them, because the iron three chloride solution is very dark).
Anyway, if the gunk in the sodium aluminate solution is from the filters, what kind or brand of filter would you suggest? I use No Name basket coffee
filters, so if you believe there are better kinds out there, please tell me. As for the brighter orange liquid that settles at the bottom of the of
the iron three chloride solution, do you think a separatory funnel would get rid of it? All advice is greatly appreciated.
[Edited on 17-2-2013 by Chemistry_Keegan]
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Vargouille
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The particulate matter might be from Al(OH)3, but if it's from particulate that doesn't get caught by the filter have you tried using multiple filters
in one run? You could try purchasing fine-grade filter papers. They take longer to work, will clog easily, and are quite a bit more expensive than
coffee filters, but work much better at catching particulates.
As for the "orange liquid", can you take a picture? I haven't heard of anything of the sort happening.
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Fantasma4500
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i bought some bedsheets awhile ago and i cant say i regret it, i actually think it might be even better at filtering than coffee filters, to avoid
loss of a liquid you just wetten it slightly before use
but you could do this to avoid loss due to it dripping off from the beaker etc.
2 litre bottle: cut it in half somewhat
now you have a funnel you can put filter paper in and something to collect the liquid in
but i think to get better results in filtering try other materials / more layers
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blogfast25
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Coffee filters are adequate for most hobbyist needs and not fundamentall different from 'lab grade' paper filtering media. The coarser pores can be an
adantage for coffee filters, in some cases.
Re. the orange liquid, are you sure this isn't an optical effect? Dark solutions on a light or white coloured surface can appear to have a
lighter bottom. Does it go away when you stir things up? And does it come back again after a while?
[Edited on 17-2-2013 by blogfast25]
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Chemistry_Keegan
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Thank you everyone for all the great information. I transferred the solution into an opaque container since I posted this question, so I would rather
not take a picture of it right now, but I will probably be moving it back into a transparent beaker soon so I can use it, and when I do I will be sure
to take a picture of it. And yes, I am sure this isn't just an optical effect, because when I go to poor the solution (to filter it or whatnot) I
always encounter the brighter liquid at the bottom. Immediately after pooring it into a new container, I do not notice it right away, but after a few
minutes it appears again. Stirring will make it go away temporarily, but it eventually settles back.
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