Mixing acid solutions to maximum concentrations with water.

[nevillet]

Hi,

I repair various items including coffee makers and because of this I use various acids to remove limescale (calcium) deposits.

For instance I use citric acid mixed with water and use a solution comprising of 1000ml of water and 50g of food grade citric acid - but this pure guesswork on my part.

I am able to crudely measure the PH using Litmus paper indicator strips but would like to know how to make a solution of maximum concentration without wasting excess CA.

I have the same question for some recently purchased sulphamic acid powder (99.9%) What ratio of SA to water?

Is there a simple way of me calculating this in the future?

Many thanks.

[chenbeier]

Check the solubility of the acids. That is the maximum what can be dissolved.

Citric acid 605 g/l max.

Sulfamic acid 181 g/l max.

For cleaning purpose 100 g/l is efficent

For high end coffee machines read the datasheet of the device. Some internals can be destroyed by acids.

 

 

Edited June 1, 2023 by chenbeier

[nevillet]

Many thanks for your reply.

Does the cleaning mix ratio apply to both acids?

[chenbeier]

Yes it does

[nevillet]

Thanks again.

[studiot]

22 hours ago, nevillet said:

I repair various items including coffee makers and because of this I use various acids to remove limescale (calcium) deposits.

 

21 hours ago, chenbeier said:

Check the solubility of the acids. That is the maximum what can be dissolved.

Citric acid 605 g/l max.

Sulfamic acid 181 g/l max.

For cleaning purpose 100 g/l is efficent

For high end coffee machines read the datasheet of the device. Some internals can be destroyed by acids.

 

Nice answers. +1

 

I would just like to add that much equipment has succumbed to the mania for chrome plating (often poorly made plating).

Acids readily attach chrome plating on taps etc.

An alternative you might try is steam cleaning.

21 hours ago, chenbeier said: