Any Chemical Experts Here?

[rgdillon]

PROPYLENE GLYCOL - two questions:

1. Shelf life - what is it - I can't find it anywhere.

2. I know that it's a humectant, a hygroscopic solution - but how does it exactly keep the moisture content to a set level. I understand that it absorbs moisture - but to be able to keep "x" amount of humidity it must also be able to release moisture. So how is this defined?

Question number one is the important one - number two is just cause I like to know how stuff works sometimes.

And no - I haven't been drinking - yet -

Thanks -

Ron

 

[JohnBoyToo]

I majored in Chem E before i stayed at Holiday Inn
but then got interested in compooters

www.howstuffworks.com has some of the data you asked for...

 

[Tennessee Titan]

Hey Ron,

Found this article doing a google search.www.shell-lubricants.com/products/pdf/IndustrialELC.pdf. I think that may answer your question about shelf life, but nothing on keeping moisture content at a set level. I'll keep looking; it's a slow night at work.

 

[rgdillon]

I majored in Chem E before i stayed at Holiday Inn
but then got interested in compooters

www.howstuffworks.com has some of the data you asked for...

Thanks - I had already seen just about all the links that it gave it there - didn't find answers in any of them though.

Ron

 

[rgdillon]

Hey Ron,

Found this article doing a google search.www.shell-lubricants.com/products/pdf/IndustrialELC.pdf. I think that may answer your question about shelf life, but nothing on keeping moisture content at a set level. I'll keep looking; it's a slow night at work.

I had read that one - but it's basically dealing with Ethylene Glycol and Propylene Glycol in an anti-freeze solution.

What I'm actually trying to do here is this: Humidor solutions used to keep the humidor at a 70% humidity are simply a mixture of distilled water and Propylene Glycol -50/50 solution. Not that I'm a tight wad or anything but - they charge on the average $8 bucks for an 8 ounce bottle. So one gal (128 ounces) of it would run you about $128 bucks. On the other hand if I bought a gal of Propylene Glycol for about $18 bucks and mixed it with a gal of distilled water - I'd end up with 256 ounces ( 2 gals) for about $20 bucks. Enough to last me a very long time, as in years. Hence the question: what is the shelf life?

So - if you figure things even up - I'd be spending $256 bucks for 2 gals store bought or $20 bucks for 2 gals. that I mix. That extra $236 bucks could buy me quite a few more cigars there.

Thanks,

Ron

 

[JohnBoyToo]

AH !!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, Ron, if you had told us the IMPORTANCE of your question, we would have put more urgency in the solution Just kiddin', of course

given that it is something you are going to use that may infiltrate something you stick in your mouth and lungs...

maybe you should contact the mfg of the stuff to see what's in there verifying it's safe and potable....
MAYBE that tack with the expensive stuff mfg will encourage them to tell you EXACTLY what's in there in lieu of the threat of a lawsuit

but given the thought of replacing it with something else...
even traces of a heavy metal in solution could be lethal ...
(NOT that I consider smoking safe since I lost both in-laws to lung cancer in their 60's, but we'll not start THAT discussion )

good luck with it...
JB

 

[maniac]

There is an anit- freeze for cars that is propylene glycol, try this

http://www.sierraantifreeze.com/

 

[rgdillon]

AH !!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, Ron, if you had told us the IMPORTANCE of your question, we would have put more urgency in the solution Just kiddin', of course

JB

Yep, aside from that whole cancer lung lethal metals thing

Propylene Glycol is actually an FDA approved food additive that you injest daily or your wife uses it in her make-up stuff. It also keeps the doggies from getting killed drinking anti-freeze.

I can find a ton of information on it - just not the two things that I really want to know

Later,

Ron

 

[maniac]

OK, I didn't read it.

Shelf life, I think its like Ethelyne glycol, a pretty long time, I can ask the lab guy at the place I load up at tommorow, if he can dig himself out of the snow. I do know there are 2 grades of it, 1 is Propylene glycol USP (food grade) the other is industrial grade for makeup and things like that.

2 feet and still going strong here.

 

[rgdillon]

OK, I didn't read it.

Shelf life, I think its like Ethelyne glycol, a pretty long time, I can ask the lab guy at the place I load up at tommorow, if he can dig himself out of the snow. I do know there are 2 grades of it, 1 is Propylene glycol USP (food grade) the other is industrial grade for makeup and things like that.

2 feet and still going strong here.

Cool deal - appreciate it. Of course the food grade is what I'm looking at. Found a place to get it for like $17.63 a gal. -

Thanks,

Ron