concerned about lead

[devotus]

I did read somewhere that people make use of stainless lathe shavings so if you have access to a lathe and some stainless pipe you could turn it into oblivion and make your own packing as long as you kept the shavings fine. I am seriously considering that option if I cant find something before I lose patience.

of course you could use copper lathe shavings as well.


EDIT; added the last sentence

[Bull Rider]

Do you have access to a commercial restaurant supply store. Stainless scrubbies are commonly used in restaurants and commercial kitchens.


Bull.

[mountaindewer]

Am I one unlucky guy or what? I have already spent like 100$ on my previous attempt, ok I agree - i have used sh*t plastics etc. Today I have spent another 50$ on brass fittings and guess what? I have found a thread in here about danger if using brass fittings (does it contain lead?) - who would think about brass fittings being hazard if you can buy them in plumbing store? I don't really know what to do now...

[Coaster]

@ mountaindewer,

Suggest performing a Forum search for the topic of 'Pickling Brass'. Pickling Brass will remove the surface Lead from Brass.

A 'Pickling Solution' of two parts White Vinegar to one part Hydrogen Peroxide (common 3% solution) will remove the surface Lead from brass parts when they are soaked for 5 minutes or less at room temperature. The brass will turn a buttery yellow color as it is cleaned. If the solution starts to turn green and the brass darkens, then the parts have been soaking too long and the copper in the brass is beginning to dissolve, exposing more Lead. The solution has become contaminated and the part should be re-cleaned in a fresh pickling solution.

Regards,
Coaster

[mountaindewer]

@ mountaindewer,

Suggest performing a Forum search for the topic of 'Pickling Brass'. Pickling Brass will remove the surface Lead from Brass.

A 'Pickling Solution' of two parts White Vinegar to one part Hydrogen Peroxide (common 3% solution) will remove the surface Lead from brass parts when they are soaked for 5 minutes or less at room temperature. The brass will turn a buttery yellow color as it is cleaned. If the solution starts to turn green and the brass darkens, then the parts have been soaking too long and the copper in the brass is beginning to dissolve, exposing more Lead. The solution has become contaminated and the part should be re-cleaned in a fresh pickling solution.

Regards,
Coaster

Thanks, I will definately try this out! what do you think about using brass pot scrubbers as a filling? thanks!

[Coaster]

.....what do you think about using brass pot scrubbers as a filling?.....

@ mountaindewer

Brass Column Packing -> No

Copper or Stainless Column Packing -> Yes

Regards,
Coaster

[rad14701]

If all else fails you can always use marbles or crushed glass or safety glass (tempered) for structured packing... It doesn't provide quite as many HETP's as scrubbers but works well despite the additional weight...

[mountaindewer]

alright, so it's better to use just stainless or copper mesh. can anyone explain what's wrong with brass scrubbers? just curious! thnx

[Prairiepiss]

alright, so it's better to use just stainless or copper mesh. can anyone explain what's wrong with brass scrubbers? just curious! thnx

They contain lead. And with them being so thin and having so much surface area. It would be nearly impossible to keep it from leaching out. Even after pickling. And who knows what the quality of brass scrubbys would be.

I've never even seen a brass scrubby?