What if everything you thought you knew about the distribution of Carbonate Species was wrong?

[Silver_Is_Money]

What if charts like these are wrong (or rather, are correct only for certain idealized temperatures and/or salinities that have zero to do with brewing)?



What if the reality was more akin to being all over the board such as for this chart which adds the impact of a single temperature change from 5 C. to 25 C., plus a single salinity % change.



Then imagine what the reality might be like when mash temperature is bumped to ~67 C. and salt (whereas minerals of all kinds can be referred to as salts, and not just NaCl) levels are magnitude multiples of your mineral additions due to the high inherent salt content of the malts/grains themselves. Who knows what the carbonate species reality might look like then, but one certainty is that any software based upon either of the first two charts seen above will be massively wrong when applied to a mash, or even to an attempt to target a pH for ones sparge water.

 

[Silver_Is_Money]

As an aside, if some of the calcium within your mash water combines with the bicarbonate in same as your water is heated to strike temperature, then by the time of its introduction into the mash (or by the time the grist is introduced into it, depending upon your process methodology) the initial water conditions presumed for the mash no longer exist. Hmm???

I wonder if anyone has measured the degree of calcium and bicarbonate interaction that takes place at ~160 - 170 degrees F? We know that a lot of such interaction occurs at your elevation regulated nominal boiling temperature, and 160 - 170 degrees F. is closer to boiling than to room temperature.

 

[Silver_Is_Money]

If indeed calcium and bicarbonate can interact to form highly insoluble calcium carbonate at less than boiling temperature, then this potential lends a load of credence to practicing AJ deLange's "0 Effective Alkalinity" method.

 

[NSMikeD]

If indeed calcium and bicarbonate can interact to form highly insoluble calcium carbonate at less than boiling temperature, then this potential lends a load of credence to practicing AJ deLange's "0 Effective Alkalinity" method.

True, however, Mg factors to limit the precipitation of calcium chloride. I can keep my alkalinity 10+ dkh in my reef tank with little precipitation with Ca Alk and Mg in balance.

 

[Silver_Is_Money]

True, however, Mg factors to limit the precipitation of calcium chloride. I can keep my alkalinity 10+ dkh in my reef tank with little precipitation with Ca Alk and Mg in balance.

I hope your reef tank is not at 160 to 170 degrees F.