thecroweater wrote:Jacksonb your synthetic matrix has Jack to do with scoria and the reason those compounds are listed as non hazardous is not because they are trapped inside as a lot of the rock is broken down to a required grading size. The reason its not listed as hazardous is because in the form they are in and the amount they are present they are zero risk to health. If they were then the very many companies the deal with them would protect themselves by disclosing such.
Just because you can’t acknowledge the blatantly obvious similarities doesn’t mean they’re not there.
I’m only trying to help out with angles but I'm over it. bye
Guess lava rock (scoria) is one of those subjects that leads to an unresolved debate.
Can't prove it's safe and can't prove it's not.
Just a thought. Since it's used for packing a column, nothing that boils below 212F should get out of the still.
When using scoria for packing, I'd recommend leaving enough space above the packing to keep liquid entrainment of the vapor to a minimum.
This is a good post and should be treaded with respect. If you post you should be on topic and positive. You do not have to agree with every thing that is said but be respectful if you don't.
shadylane wrote:
When using scoria for packing, I'd recommend leaving enough space above the packing to keep liquid entrainment of the vapor to a minimum.
Excellent advice being many of us choose to ride the limits of what the packing can handle (as discussed in Hound Dog's thread).
I run very hard on neutrals. Fortunately my collection plate has over 10 inches of empty space between it and the top of the scoria.
Yes but what ever your packing is its not a great idea to run it hard unless you are trying to find the parimaters you can work with in
I have neutral here from such runs be it can't be used without re-running it . With my coke experiments I ran a couple of ltrs through just fast enough to keep the plates loaded and then a couple more ltrs collected at point of flooding speed )can't remember output rate). Interestingly the ABV did not vary much but by gum the carry over did
Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.Benjamin Franklin
bearriver wrote: ↑Sun Jul 19, 2015 10:35 am
You have pulled one of multiple MSDS spec sheets available, thus reconfirming that we know what comprises lava rock. Thanks Cack. That is a great way to start this thread.
With that information and data like it, we can determine if the substances present are safe or not in a still. You have a list of chemicals comprising the rocks and a list of chemicals comprising the vapor. It's then the researcher's responsibility to compare those substances for inadequate resistance. My research thus far, and the research of others more knowledgeable is in agreement (in no small part thanks to Mash Rookie). Two things can change that agreement. One: if someone presents scientific evidence that suggests generic lava rock inherently can have dangerous levels of a substance that we are not currently aware of. Two: evidence of low resistance between a chemical in the vapor, and a chemical in the rock, again leading to hazardous levels of a substance. The information is laid out there for anyone to look at.
Opinions are just that, but the scientific method currently has shown that lava rock is considered safe for use in a still. This is why I love the scientific method. It filters out all the human baggage and gets straight to the good stuff.
I'm still wondering what conclusion you guys reached. Is lava rock safe for use as packing material?
No science here just real life. I switched suppliers and went to a red lava rock to black in California lava was installed in exactly same sys with the same genetics. Slow growth,for 6 weeks had water tested nothing popped up in the analysis. Pulled 6 plants into similar sys old rock, lost one plant right away, the others after a week started growing and color came back. Doesn't prove anything. But...
Just pulled out a 5' piece of 3 inch copper,I can't imagine putting lava in it and hanging it on my boiler. I will probably go with Hydroton as it weighs hardly anything and is inert and very porous.
