Im trying to extract nitrates form earth, without using "special chemicals/tools". (Im trying to reproduce old practices for gathering chemicals)
Process so far:
0,5kg of dirt (from a flowershop) were mixed in 250ml boiling water.
This was filtered, first by a sieve, then by filterpaper, and lastly by a packed cottonplug in a funnel.
Currently I have a light brown (earth smelling) colloid.
Next step is reducing water by 60-75% by boiling. And filtering again.
(I hope this removes more particles from solution)
Then some Potassium carbonate solution (made from boiling wood ash in water) will be added to remove insoluble carbonates (precipitation + filtration)
.
I think that a colloid will be obtained after these procedures, and cristallization of nitrates will not be possible. (maybe Im wrong, as not tried
yet)
Is there a "non special chemical/tool" procedure for clearing this colloid?
My thoughs after searching:
1) centrifugation (spinning a bottle over my head - no special tools are allowed....)
2) making soap from animal fat / oil + potash water (wood ash + water)
and then adding soap as flocculant?
Will this work?
Will soap react with nitrates (thus lowering the yield?)
Another idea?
Thanks,
fx-991ex - 4-8-2023 at 10:22
Use alcohol/ethanol to crystallize out the KNO3 as it has low solubility in those.Sulaiman - 4-8-2023 at 11:14
Thats a good idea, i dont think flowershop earth has good nitrate content, probably some slow release ammonium based fertilizer or other cheap crap in
there.
[Edited on 4-8-2023 by fx-991ex]
[Edited on 4-8-2023 by fx-991ex]Rainwater - 4-8-2023 at 14:34
I've done it using sawdust from the barn floor.
Lots of work, bad yields. Not recommended
As for settling the suspension, a cheap and easy to make floculant, but pain to purify is Al(OH)3
Lots of videos about it. In short, aluminum foil + hcl, filter, + baking soda + a lot of water, mix, filter, a lot of water, mix filter.
Filtering this stuff will take longer than shipping from china.
Your left with a gello like material that will cause particals to clump together and fall out of suspension.
Can be purchesed in 50lb bags for use in water filter systems. Non toxic, safe to handle.
