On Mon, 22 Nov 2004 20:46:43 -0000
Alan Rhodes <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Whilst my chemistry is a little rusty ammonium perchlorate can be made
> by the double decomposition of sodium perchlorate which is produced by
> electrolysis. The platinum could be used as the electrodes. Maybe the
> electrolysis vessel was called a 'rectifier'.
>
>
> > ammonium and potassium perchlorates for tracer bullets and
> > flares, the last employee told me that they had a supply of
> > platinum for the rectifier. Can anyone tell me what sort of
> > rectifier this could have been.
> >
> > Mike Shaw
>
> Alan Rhodes
>
I think Alan may be on the right lines, here. In a dim memory, I seem to recall that the term "rectifier" was used for a chemical process that rectified, or corrected some parameter in the process. It may have been pH, salinity, or any number of factors. I'm afraid that an expert in the production of perchlorates for the particular time, would be needed to answer this one. The use of platinum, in this case may have been as a consequence of its catalytic properties.
Rod Goslin
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