I was based on my background as a chemical engineer to give insights into the effectiveness of these controversial chemicals. In my experiment, I tested eight of the most frequently available chemical drain cleaners: six alkaline and two acidic. I did resolution tests to evaluate how well each of them can dissolve drain blocks. I had one goal: to determine which products would work effectively against the most common constipation materials if available.
For this overview, I went to the CNET product test laboratory in Louisville, Kentucky, to carry out a comprehensive Batch distillation experiment with eight of the most frequently used chemical drain cleaners on the market. My main goal was to determine the efficiency of every product in the dissolution of different types of constipation materials, including organic substance, fat, paper products and pet hair (the same pet hair for which we use for which we use Our robot vacuum testsindeed). During the entire experiment, I also found that the pH mirror of the cleaning solutions mixed with water when mixing and all temperature changes were monitored. In addition, I looked at the chemical composition and versatility of the use of every product when I compared it.
Acids against bases
Before I carried out experiments with these substances, I separated them into acids and bases. As they remember the chemistry of high school, acids are compounds that donate a hydrogenion (H+) when they are mixed with water and have a pH of less than 7. On the other hand, bases are compounds that these ions (or hydroxide, oh ions) and a pH value of higher than 7. Understanding this distinction is of crucial importance due to two important factors associated with these products: Corrosiveness and externality.
Corrosiveness refers to the potential of a chemical substance to cause rust and deterioration in the materials from which its piping system consists. Caustia, on the other hand, relates to how a chemical substance reacts in contact with organic substance, in particular proteins and other organic molecules, which can lead to tissue disturbance or chemical burns.
In order to determine the acid or basicity of any connection, we measure your pH value. In simple words, the more acidic or more fundamental is a connection, the greater the potential for corrosiveness and externality.
Probe -h value of one of our test subjects. 11.38 pH corresponds to an alkaline solution.
Saure drain cleaners, especially those with high acid concentrations such as sulfuric acid drain cleaners, are more dangerous compared to their basic or alkaline counterparts. The order of the addition plays a role in chemistry. Usually they would gradually insert an acid in water and slowly increase the acid concentration. Never add water to an acid Since this reaction is known that a considerable amount of heat generates and dangerous smoke releasesS. Convince yourself in the gif below (and don’t try at home).
By adding water into this sulfuric acid car, you react an immediate exothermic reaction to cook the water during contact and collect dangerous smoke in the air. Don’t try that at home!
In order to ensure security during the experiments, I took the necessary precautions by wearing personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, gloves, long -sleeved clothing and mask. The resolution test was carried out in a well -ventilated laboratory area to minimize the exposure to dangerous vapors that may be released.
Resolution test
To start the experiment, I weighed specific quantities of the constipation materials in separate 1,000 ml cups:
- 4 grams hair
- 20 grams of organic substance (each 10 grams of apple peels and carrot shells)
- 40 grams of lard for fat
- 14 grams of paper products (7 grams of toilet paper and paper towels) each))
I carefully measured with a graduate cylinder and added 200 ml of every basic drain cleaner and 70 ml of each acidic drain cleaner to the respective cups, causing the mixture to be stirred with a glass rod and a thorough mixture is guaranteed without spilling. After the instructions with every product, I left the solutions for the recommended time, usually between 15 and 30 minutes.
A decisive step in my test was the inclusion of water, a component that was often overlooked in similar experiments that were found online. Chemical drain cleaners are designed in such a way that they work in the presence of water, which facilitates the transport of the cleaner to the clogs and distributes the solution evenly over their surfaces and enables the resolution process. After the end of the intended time, I added tap water that contained the cleaner solutions and constipation materials. I used 500 ml of hot water at 46 degrees C for basic drain cleaners (PH> 7.0), while I used 700 ml of cold water at 19 degrees C. for acidic drain cleaners (pH <7.0).
In order to enable the work of the chemicals sufficiently, I let the rehearsals sit overnight and resumed the evaluation the next morning. At that time, the rehearsals had turned into slim, slimy mixtures.
Hair resolution test in progress
To continue with the experiment, I used a vacuum filtration process with a Buchner funnel that is connected with a pump equipped with a pump. The content of each mug was carefully poured into the funnel while the pump was activated. As soon as most of the chemical drain cleaner had been pulled out of the funnel, I carried out water wash to remove residual chemicals from the surface of the rubble samples to ensure that only wet solids in the Buchner funnel were left.
Our Buchner funnel made of chemically resistant borosilicate glass contained a perforated plate with 2 ml openings that only let the smallest particles go through. In my test logic “If a substance, firm or fluid, through which 2 -mm openings could get in the filter, it was highly unlikely that pipe deflection leads to constipation.”
Our vacuum filtration setup on the left. Liquid and solved solids go through 2 mm holes in the Buchner funnel plate on the right -Everything that does not go through is viewed as a potential clog material.
Finally I separated the rehearsals and put them out for a few hours of a fan drug process to evaporate the remaining water from the laundry. I recorded the final weight of each sample and compared it with its initial weight. The ratio of the final weight to the initial weight ensured the resolution efficiency of each drain cleaner product.
