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How can I cheaply remove calcium carbonate residue?


Justonium

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After doing some experiments using limewater for CO2 testing, my glassware was left with a layer of whitish CaCO3 caked firmly on the inside. I know that hydrochloric acid removes it fine, but I don't want to waste any, as I am running low. Anybody know some other means of removal? Mechanical methods don't work very well as far as I've tried.

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Wow, the vinegar actually worked! You wouldn't think vinegar could dissolve limestone, but I guess it does, just slowly.

 

acids attack bases. it forms calcium acetate and carbon dioxide. the former is quite interesting as it easily forms super saturated solutions, plenty of videos on youtube featuring it.

 

and there doesn't have to be anything slow about it. the only reason household vinegar is so slow is that it is very diluted, concentrated acetic acid would work quite fast.

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