6/26/2013 6:06 AM
Paul,
In order to remove the alkalinity, hco3, a limiting factor for treatment is the metals in the conveyance system, pumps, valves, nozzles, etc. At 6.5 ph less than half of the alkalinity has been removed. The difference between sulfuric acid and the sulfurous acid produced by a generator is that sulfuric is a strong acid and sulfurous is a mild acid. Strong acids releases both of their hydrogen atoms when they comes in contact with the water and mild acids releases their hydrogen in sequence. Half of the acid potential of the sulfurous remains in the water as bisulfite, it is released on contact with the soil by thiobacillus bacteria.
Every meq/l of hco3 has the potential to form 200 lbs. of caco3 per acre ft. of water. The only place for the lime to form is in the soil pores creating a domino effect of plugging soils and tying up calcium. The sulfur burner has the ability to deliver enough acid to the soil to dissolve the lime releasing the calcium to exchange with sodium, aggregate soils resulting in more pore space.
If you could safely deliver adequate acidity downstream with sulfuric acid it will take 3.06 tons of sulfuric to deliver the same acidic potential as 1 ton of elemental sulfur.
Bill Atkin CGCS
Boulder Creek Golf Club
Boulder City, Nevada