Burned by Cyanuric acid and Calcium Chloride

[smithlevenson]

So, I broke rule number 1 and tried to add chemicals simultaneously. New fill and I wanted to get 20 ppm CYA and 150 ppm CH. I added the 2 together in a sock and threw it in the 450 gal hot tub. 2 min later I checked on it and when I grabbed it, I felt a burning sensation like the water was scalding hot. I let go of it and no lasting effects, but 1.5 hr later and I can still feel it on my hand. It was definitely a chemical burn.

We used the hot tub and it seemed fine, but I would like to know what happened chemically and if I should drain the tub. What was left in the sock definitely wasn't either of the original chemicals and didn't dissolve.

 

[Richard320]

The heat is expected. There's a reason they market the Calcium stuff as Icemelt.

The rest of it? I don't know. But I want to be in this thread so I get notified when one of the chemist types does answer. @JoyfulNoise, maybe?

 

[JamesW]

Calcium chloride gets hot when dissolved in water.

Calcium chloride can form into a solid block in water.

You possibly made some calcium cyanurate.

In any case, I don't think that you made anything super toxic or especially dangerous.

Definitely a good example of the rule to never mix chemicals.

 

[smithlevenson]

Yep, just read that it is also de-icer.

 

[kadavis]

Google calcium chloride, look under exothermic process, please never mix any chemicals together again. Want you around to enjoy your hot tub

 

[smithlevenson]

Google calcium chloride, look under exothermic process, please never mix any chemicals together again. Want you around to enjoy your hot tub

Me too! I have mixed those chemicals in a thousand times and never noticed anything particular about either.

When the wife suited up, my mind shut down and I thought about balancing the water as quickly as possible. ?. Lesson learned

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

♨ HOT tub

I obviously have nothing constructive to say....sorry.

 

[smithlevenson]

The heat is expected. There's a reason they market the Calcium stuff as Icemelt.

The rest of it? I don't know. But I want to be in this thread so I get notified when one of the chemist types does answer. @JoyfulNoise, maybe?

Thanks for the quick reply. It wasn't particularly dramatic, but it sure got my attention, especially when you think you might have created new chemicals.

 

[smithlevenson]

Calcium chloride gets hot when dissolved in water.

Calcium chloride can form into a solid block in water.

You possibly made some calcium cyanurate.

In any case, I don't think that you made anything super toxic or especially dangerous.

Definitely a good example of the rule to never mix chemicals.

Glad to have a place to go with people who are way smarter than me, willing to help out a stranger. Thanks again.

 

[smithlevenson]

♨HOT tub

I obviously have nothing constructive to say....sorry.

If only I had stumbled upon some useful alchemy...