Friend did a stupid
Friend did a stupid
(OP)
Friend had a clog in the drain line for his kitchen sink and I'm glad he's still here.
He COMBINED, if you can believe it, Draino, Liquid Plumber, and Carbolic Acid in the drain, and it "exploded" to quote it precisely - devevoped a lot of pressure, caustic fumes, and foam.
After sealing up the drain access, he contacted an emergency room doctor. The doctor looked it up (surprises me that they would have that exact combination) and recommended neutralizing the mixture with Vinegar, which he subsequently used. The unknowns are the concentration, and what was in the drain causing the clog.
I wonder what caustic gas might have been generated (I strongly suspect Cyanide gas, and perhaps ammonia, but I'm not sure), and if Vinegar would really be the proper neutralizing agent here. I realize that Draino and Liquid Plumber are strong bases, and that Carbolic acid and vinegar are acids. The chemical results are beyond me though.
The problem now is that the vents cannot be opened too clear the clog until the reaction ceases, hence the need to neutralize properly.
He COMBINED, if you can believe it, Draino, Liquid Plumber, and Carbolic Acid in the drain, and it "exploded" to quote it precisely - devevoped a lot of pressure, caustic fumes, and foam.
After sealing up the drain access, he contacted an emergency room doctor. The doctor looked it up (surprises me that they would have that exact combination) and recommended neutralizing the mixture with Vinegar, which he subsequently used. The unknowns are the concentration, and what was in the drain causing the clog.
I wonder what caustic gas might have been generated (I strongly suspect Cyanide gas, and perhaps ammonia, but I'm not sure), and if Vinegar would really be the proper neutralizing agent here. I realize that Draino and Liquid Plumber are strong bases, and that Carbolic acid and vinegar are acids. The chemical results are beyond me though.
The problem now is that the vents cannot be opened too clear the clog until the reaction ceases, hence the need to neutralize properly.
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
http://mmcengineering.tripod.com





RE: Friend did a stupid
Drano - sodium hydroxide (lye), sodium nitrate, sodium chloride (salt), aluminum
LiquidPlumbr - 0.5–2% sodium hydroxide, 5–10% sodium hypochlorite, and a surfactant
Some of the gasses formed would include Hydrogen, Ammonia, and Water vapor, However, the chemical reaction is very exothermic resulting some of the original chemicals and intermediates being dispersed. The chemical ratio is unbalanced resulting in not all the primary chemical being used up, hence neutralizing the mixture with Vinegar.
Standard safety precautions, gloves, eye protection, lab apron ( to protect your torso. as Hydrogen will be produce in unknown amounts, no open flames, turning electrical switches on/off. If the Vinegar can be added remotely all the better.
I know someone, due to a stunt like this lost 3 fingers when he added the acid to the mixture, very lucky he did not lose his life.
I suspect that the plumbing will have to be replaced. clogged with salts and unused cleaners. Hire a professional.
Richard www.6sproductivitycom.com
RE: Friend did a stupid
Good luck,
Latexman
RE: Friend did a stupid
RE: Friend did a stupid
Sometimes self-education is not good, right?
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
http://mmcengineering.tripod.com
RE: Friend did a stupid
The cool guy on the block was a kid that had some elemental phosphorous. Cool stuff - interesting reactions, think hand grenades. It had to be kept in some type of oil or something.
Like I said - it is a wonder.
rmw
RE: Friend did a stupid
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
http://mmcengineering.tripod.com
RE: Friend did a stupid
rmw
RE: Friend did a stupid
Quickly backed off to the much more benign mixture of saltpeter and sugar to make smoke bombs. Ahh yes, the joy of filling up an empty Coke can with that mixture, dropping a match in it and throwing it up in the air..... can still hear the magnificent whistling sound as it streaked up, up, and away..... where it landed we never knew....
RE: Friend did a stupid
This was the mid- 1960's. Let them off at dusk and sure enough after about 5 minutes the firecrackers would go off - sometimes the whole balloon. More than one UFO was mentioned in the local newspaper!!
RE: Friend did a stupid
Caustic drain cleaners react with aluminum, rubber, zinc and brass. A caustic drain cleaner may react with garbage disposals that have rubber or aluminum parts. Caustic drain cleaners react with active metals like aluminum, tin and zinc to release hydrogen gas, which is highly flammable and explosive.
Caustic drain cleaners also have an exothermic reaction with water.
RE: Friend did a stupid
RE: Friend did a stupid
rmw
RE: Friend did a stupid
Looking back I realise how risky what we were involved with actually was. Just seemed routine at the time...
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If we learn from our mistakes I'm getting a great education!
RE: Friend did a stupid
Richard www.6sproductivitycom.com
RE: Friend did a stupid
Let them get hurt - not you
RE: Friend did a stupid
Next time I may try the CO2 bottle, that sounds more funner.
RE: Friend did a stupid
BTW - they make a specific one for toilets - use it - it works much better.
RE: Friend did a stupid
You need to come up with a snake long enough to get to you neighbor's toilet. Can you imagine the fun you could have with that?
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
http://mmcengineering.tripod.com
RE: Friend did a stupid
RE: Friend did a stupid
RE: Friend did a stupid