This depends on the assay of your Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic).  For example, the freezing point for a 10% solution is -14°F.  A solution of 30% Caustic will freeze at 34°F  and the most common assay of 50% Sodium Hydroxide will freeze at 54°F.  Of course, we always suggest keeping the product in an environmentally controlled location that is at least 10-15 degrees higher than these freeze points to avoid problems with the product’s performance and to avoid damage to the product containers and your operating systems.

No, this is an unsafe practice and we never recommend applying any kind of heat directly to cylinders or tons.  Doing so could result in the valve freezing due to gas being extracted too quickly.  Direct heat could even melt the fuse plug on the valve, causing a leak, or cause damage to the cylinder.  The best way to guarantee a steady pressure as you use the product is to keep it in a temperature-controlled environment.

The standard floor sweep contains metal fragments that will react with bleach and cause off gassing of Chlorine.  Please never use this product to clean a bleach spill.  Instead, use play sand, as it will absorb the bleach safety.  Then, follow proper disposal procedures to remove it from your site. 

No, our Ammonium Hydroxide totes meet the strictest industry standards for pressure ratings (428 kPa, or 62 psig).  But with all our products, we recommend they be stored in an environmentally controlled location to avoid excessive temperature swings and, specifically in the case of Ammonium Hydroxide, direct sunlight. 

This will depend on the container but you can find the regulations in this table for requalification.

Most cylinders that Alexander Chemical fills are required by the Department of Transportation to be certified every 5 years.  This process includes a hydrostatic or direct expansion test, or the Ultrasonic Examination (also knowns as Non-Destructive Examination) of the cylinder to ensure that it can safely hold the pressure of the product that we fill.

In addition to these DOT-regulated inspections, Alexander Chemical conducts an inspection on each cylinder that is returned to us. Before refilling a cylinder, we inspect the cylinder for damage, test the functionality of the valve, and conduct a tare weight check.  These safety steps ensure that you are receiving a functioning, safe asset at your site. 

To learn more about our cylinder maintenance services, visit our services page here.

Yes, we currently fill large cylinders with 850 pounds of ammonia.  This cylinder has a diameter of approximately 30.5” and has a length of 82”. Empty, this cylinder weights approximately 1,450 pounds.  So, fully filled, the total package weight is 2,300 pounds.

If you are interested in this size, we can also ship it on a rack that can easily be secured in a van trailer and moved with a forklift.  The rack will add approximately 250 pounds, for a total package size of 2,550 pounds (easy to move with a small forklift).

Yes, Hydrogen Peroxide degrades at a rate of approximately 1% per year if it if kept in an environmentally controlled location.  However, it can degrade faster if it is left out in the elements.

A best rule of thumb is to use your products within 6 months of receiving them. We offer many package sizes in Hydrogen Peroxide and other chemicals.  So, if you do not believe you can fully consume a tote of Hydrogen Peroxide within 6 months, as an example, we would recommend you order a few drums instead (which we keep in stock as well).

Yes, for all our gases, and in many of our package sizes, we offer what is called a “dip tube” option.  This device works with the existing valve on the cylinder, but it pulls product from the bottom of the cylinder where it is still in its liquid form.

This capability is standard in all our 1-ton cylinders.  Those cylinders come with two valves connected to internal dip tubes.  When in the upright position, the upper valve pulls product from the gaseous state and the bottom valve pulls from the liquid state.   

This is a common problem with Ferric Chloride. While effective as an odor eliminator, Ferric Chloride is an iron-heavy product that stains everything (not just your UV bulbs!). The alternative products that we would recommend for use in conjunction with a UV system is Aluminum Sulfate or a Poly-Aluminum Chloride product. We sell both of these products, and we can come onsite and provide a jar test to determine the exact dosing required for your application.