Clogged aerosol pumps

[vlclabbie]

Hi Everyone,

Hope you're all having a wonderful day so far!

A teacher recently put copper carbonate in my flame test aerosols & it has clogged up the pump bits. I've tried soaking them in cold & hot water but only helps a tiny bit.... does anyone know how I can clean them out? Another chemical perhaps?

Cheers kel

[Ian]

I have not had that problem with CuCO₃, but carbonates react with acids, so you might soak it in HCl for a few minutes. My problem is with putting FeCl₃ into the spray bottles. It is very corrosive and just eats the guts out of the spray mechanism! I generally need to replace the spray bottle each year.

Let us know how you get along

Cheers
Ian

[Ocker]

I always spray hot water through pumps after use then pump dry then just lightly screw back on till next time when a couple have to be replaced due to springs rusted or jets blocked

[vlclabbie]

Thanks guys!

We let the kids use wire loops for the FeCl3. Gives them practice!! And shows them there are different ways of doing flame tests.

Will let you know - going off to pull them out of the hot water & then use the HCl......

[Labbie]

Hi Viclabbie, How did your pump spray's work out, after soaking in HCL????????? Our ones seem to be playing up now.