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mwplastics
New Contributor

Non Flammable Substitute for Alcohol in Float/Sink Separator?

Could someone suggest an inexpensive substitute for alcohol to be added to water in a float/sink separation tank to lower the density? Thank you.

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2 Replies
scooke
Contributor III

Re: Non Flammable Substitute for Alcohol in Float/Sink Separator?

Dear Mark,

I don't know about prices or availability. But a good starting point is the linked tables of liquid densities.  The field of ionic liquids may also offer some unique alternatives for solutions for float/sink separation systems.

Liquid Densities 

Specific Gravity Of Liquids Table 

Best regards,

Steven

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hcubic
New Contributor

Re: Non Flammable Substitute for Alcohol in Float/Sink Separator?

Why not use solutions with density greater than one? Make solutions of Kosher salt in water of various concentrations, up to near saturation.  A little food coloring of the various concentrations can help to distinguish them, and students can be challenged to "stack" the various colors in a transparent or translucent soda straw.  This takes some dexterity because the solutions are miscible, but it is an active learning challenge. [Kosher salt makes clear solutions, whereas table salt does not, because of a polymer coating to prevent clumping in a shaker.]

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