Project #3 from Hooda- Electrolytic rust removal EXPERIMENT!

[hooda]

So, last night I continued with the experiment. I used the same base, and started with a different sponge. I used the same concentration of electrolyte (1/2 cup/gallon). The first picture is with a larger sponge, and the charger set to 10 amps after 20 minutes. I checked the part every 5 minutes, and noticed that I could see the progress. This particular section appeared to have had something wet placed on it at some point that caused the rust to set into the metal a little deeper than the rest of the part. The light, uniform rust was gone at the 10 minute mark, but the deeper sections seen here took the full 20 minutes for the process to show its full effect.



Something I noticed is that when I switched from 2 amp to 10 amp, the meter only barely moved, but the charger got louder, when I pushed down on the anode with my hand, I would make the meter go up, but I believe that using a dirty old piece of metal for the anode (I used the same piece of steel from the initial experiment for the anode), covering only the small area that it covers, is effecting how much current the setup will draw, and ultimately how much time it will take to work.



Below is the larger sponge I used, and the plastic pitcher I mixed my solution in. 1 minute in the microwave to heat it up, and easy to add solution to the sponge during the process, as I believe that keeping the sponge fully saturated has an effect on the process. The smaller sponge was the control experiment soaked in solution, and set on a rusted section off to the side without current. I checked the control experiment every 10 minutes for 1 hour. Other than appearing like it was washed off with plain water, the solution had ZERO effect on the rust without the electrical process applied.



I will post the final results when I get a chance.

[sportbike]

Something I noticed is that when I switched from 2 amp to 10 amp, the meter only barely moved, but the charger got louder, when I pushed down on the anode with my hand, I would make the meter go up, but I believe that using a dirty old piece of metal for the anode (I used the same piece of steel from the initial experiment for the anode), covering only the small area that it covers, is effecting how much current the setup will draw, and ultimately how much time it will take to work.

Some of that is likely due to the strength of the electrolyte solution as well. A stronger solution would carry more current, along with a better anode.

[DaveO]

when I pushed down on the anode with my hand, I would make the meter go up

I wonder if this is because you're compressing the sponge, and reducing the volume of the holes within the sponge, and enabling more electrolyte fluid to come into contact with the anode.

I believe that using a dirty old piece of metal for the anode (I used the same piece of steel from the initial experiment for the anode), covering only the small area that it covers, is effecting how much current the setup will draw, and ultimately how much time it will take to work.

My guess is "absolutely right". A shiny clean anode would work better, just as removing built up crud from a battery terminal helps power flow better.

Nice work taking a methodical controlled approach!