Caustic Alternative

Steven Button

Administrator
I'm researching chemicals and compounds for grease cleanup and high foot traffic areas on concrete...

is there a comparable alternative to caustic?

When caustic reacts with the fatty acids in grease it converts them into soap (layman's terms) and produces heat which helps 'melt' the grease away.

I have looked at a combination of Sodium Bicarbonate and Citric Acid which produces a kind of 'effervescent' effect... but I don't know how this would affect grease.

I have also looked at sodium metasilicate which I understand has a high pH, therefore would help with 'saponification' - turning the grease to soap.

I have also looked at the breakdown of fatty acids and starch in our own bodies, which is always assisted by an enzyme (a molecule that increases the rate or a reaction)... is there a possibility of something like this in an alternative to caustic. :confused: :confused:

I will continue to look into it... I don't want to be an amateur chemist and mess with the chemistry set - but if anyone has any knowledge, experience or thoughts I would really appreciate it.

... just having a brain fart at the moment!!

:D
 
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I actually spoke with a business owner today and he said they use sodium metasilicat. This partictular company ownes the grease pits in restaurants dumpster areas. They use it to clean the pits for restaurants. If anyone else can find these types of companies in your area i would suggest contacting them and asking if they ever run into a situation when they need help
 
Not sure the goal really. You meaning to avoid using Sodium hydroxide caustic or you meaning to avoid chems that are caustic/corrosive? Or perhaps yer looking for something safer to handle or safer for environment?
Tsp is a great degreaser but phosphates promote algae growth in streams and rivers historically so it is not too popular anymore. Decent alternative to sodium hydroxide is potassium hydroxide. What it degrades into as a metal is supposedly better for environment than the salts of the other. Costs more and takes more but at least for organic fats it make it runnier or more emulsified. Most popular alternative for degreasing is 2-butoxy ethanol solvent otherwise known as butyl or butyl cellosolve, etc. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butoxyethanol .. Is an ingredient in multitudes of cleaners. When you hear mention of using a butyl based product for gutters,etc. this stuff is what is being referred to. It degrades well in environment but is bad for humans to be in contact with. No one cares though and it is pushed down our throats, just about anyways, due to it being in so many things. In fact the biodegradable aspect often tricks even pro's into thinking it is safe to handle. For example those going to World of Concrete will likely see pro's sticking their hands in their stain that contains it all day long. Reckless I say, Reckless!. A latest example was just tonight when I walked into a store. I smelt it being used and sure enough the clerk was spraying and wiping it up with a rag. Said counters on the container so it must be ok to touch..lol
That said, I luv the stuff in it's synthetic coating removal role. Is in my floor stripper and is in my Purple Power. Watch out it'll eat paint.
 
Not sure the goal really. You meaning to avoid using Sodium hydroxide caustic or you meaning to avoid chems that are caustic/corrosive? Or perhaps yer looking for something safer to handle or safer for environment?
Tsp is a great degreaser but phosphates promote algae growth in streams and rivers historically so it is not too popular anymore. Decent alternative to sodium hydroxide is potassium hydroxide. What it degrades into as a metal is supposedly better for environment than the salts of the other. Costs more and takes more but at least for organic fats it make it runnier or more emulsified. Most popular alternative for degreasing is 2-butoxy ethanol solvent otherwise known as butyl or butyl cellosolve, etc. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butoxyethanol .. Is an ingredient in multitudes of cleaners. When you hear mention of using a butyl based product for gutters,etc. this stuff is what is being referred to. It degrades well in environment but is bad for humans to be in contact with. No one cares though and it is pushed down our throats, just about anyways, due to it being in so many things. In fact the biodegradable aspect often tricks even pro's into thinking it is safe to handle. For example those going to World of Concrete will likely see pro's sticking their hands in their stain that contains it all day long. Reckless I say, Reckless!. A latest example was just tonight when I walked into a store. I smelt it being used and sure enough the clerk was spraying and wiping it up with a rag. Said counters on the container so it must be ok to touch..lol
That said, I luv the stuff in it's synthetic coating removal role. Is in my floor stripper and is in my Purple Power. Watch out it'll eat paint.

Hey Kevin

I'm looking for a 'more friendly' alternative and trying to get more insight into what each constituent in some blends actually does.

Having used caustic, I really appreciate what it does and how it can make a job go easier and quicker... just looking at alternatives for use on maintenance contracts after an initial cleanup.

:)
 
Hey Steve, I have tried this and have gone back to a good degreaser. The bicarbonate will increase the alkalinity of the water and in most will neutralize the acid. The reaction of mixing the two together Can suck the air right out of you so be careful. I have tried stong mixes all the way to a paste finding that the dwell time became to long for regular maintenance. Just my findings. I use the bicarbonate for soda blasting or the removal of calcium on pool tiles. The citric acid I use in my brine tank to help with the iron in the well water. Let us know if you have any luck.
 
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