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Chemistry Forums for Students => Organic Chemistry Forum => Organic Chemistry Forum for Graduate Students and Professionals => Topic started by: tropicalia on July 10, 2014, 11:07:26 AM

Title: Cleaning High Temp. Silicon Bath Oil
Post by: tropicalia on July 10, 2014, 11:07:26 AM

The high temperature silicon oil used in our baths gets dirty and gross.

Some of the baths are still clear, but comtaminated with dust.  Some with what looks like rust or other particles from the paper clip used to spin the oil.  The worst from a cleaning perspective seem to be red/brown contaminated by reactions.

Filtering the oil might help with the dust.  Don't know about the rest.

What do labs usually do to recycle nasty looking silicon oil? Or do they always throw it out?  It's hundreds of dollars a litre.

Title: Re: Cleaning High Temp. Silicon Bath Oil
Post by: kamiyu on July 10, 2014, 12:35:15 PM

1) It is just waste of time if you try to clean the oil. Use new oil. Your time also costs $$$. Remember, your supervisor pays to hire you to work in the lab.

2) For water contamination in the oil, my practice is heat the oil bath to 120 to 140oC with a alumninum foil covering it. Water gets evaporated and leaves the oil clear again.

Title: Re: Cleaning High Temp. Silicon Bath Oil
Post by: Mitch on July 10, 2014, 05:36:07 PM

I think it would be best to use new oil and teach the lab to cover the oil in aluminum when not using it/

Title: Re: Cleaning High Temp. Silicon Bath Oil
Post by: vioza on July 16, 2014, 02:28:33 PM

Filtration through nylon tights works best!

Title: Re: Cleaning High Temp. Silicon Bath Oil
Post by: kamiyu on July 16, 2014, 06:53:19 PM

Could you please offer a reason why nylon tight works well???