6 replies to this topic

[Mynameisluka]

i always keep a keg with star san in it, and i just shoot it from keg to keg when i'm sanitizing. but, i just started wondering about something last night. i have noticed that if i leave a keg pressurized with co2, it seems like the star san solution becomes carbonated (like force carbing a beer). is it possible that any chemical reaction could occur between the co2 and the star san that would either diminish the effectiveness of the star san or create something unhealthy? there's probably nothing to worry about here, just wanted to make sure.

[positiveContact]

it def would become carbonated if you leave it under pressure. I have no idea if there is any risk here - I would guess not.

[Murphy]

there should not be any reaction between the CO2 and the phosphoric acid and sulfonic acid derivative that are present in the star san. the CO2 dissolving into solution will decrease the pH of any water present but the star san is already so acidic that this would have no overall effect on the pH of the liquid in your keg.

[Mynameisluka]

there should not be any reaction between the CO2 and the phosphoric acid and sulfonic acid derivative that are present in the star san. the CO2 dissolving into solution will decrease the pH of any water present but the star san is already so acidic that this would have no overall effect on the pH of the liquid in your keg.

because of carbonic acid, right? that's the main thing i wanted to be certain about...that it would not cause any rxn with the phosphoric or sulfonic acid. thanks for the help!

[Murphy]

because of carbonic acid, right?

correctamundo

[denny]

Why not ask someone who knows? support@fivestarchemicals.com

[Mynameisluka]

Why not ask someone who knows? support@fivestarchemicals.com

funny you posted that, i actually ended up emailing them. this is their response:

CO2 is an acid just like star san, so there is no problems there. Yes, it could carbonate the product. This will not affect the way it works. I don’t recommend storing star san this way. I prefer users make up what they need when they need it. Storing anything in a keg over long periods of time could cause harm to the stainless. Over all yes, your method works. Jon HerskovitsFive Star Chemicals

i was a little surprised about the whole storing it in a keg comment. i've stored it in a keg for up to a year with no apparent problems. when i first started doing this, i had 1 keg devoted to star san. i would keep star san in it all the time. when i wanted to sanitize another keg, i would just pump a little into it. now, i completely transfer the star san from one keg to another. i know that 316L stainless is a preferred storage material for phosphoric acid, but i am not exactly sure what corny's are made of. does anybody know that answer? i don't see anything on the keg itself, and i can't find that info on the net.

Edited by ErnestFrye, 22 October 2011 - 11:02 AM.