Sea recovered barrels - treatment query

[A.Roads]

Hi all,
We've just taken delivery of two ML cast iron sea recovered 4 prs, a matching pair, almost certainly of commercial background, probably circa 1830.

We've had fiberglass tanks made & currently the barrels are in fresh water. I gather we need to put sodium hydroxide into the water & run a low current thru it with anode & cathode - I totally lack experience in this area & must confess to having virtually no idea of how to set it up.

Has anyone any idot proof & clear instructions that would help out here please?

Any help very much appreciated!

Thanks, Adrian.

[Cat Whisperer]

Adrian -

You've posted another excellent question!

In terms of electronics, this is very simple - you only have TWO wires.

Obviously there are safety considerations that cannot be ignored.

The details of the chemistry I'm not familiar with, but it will be an easy matter to research this - it's merely the removal of one substance from the surface of another with electrons assisting and other fun things interfering to consider.

I assume that there is someone that will come right back with the solution to your project problem here.  But if not I'll do a bit of research on the net and post something soon.  It would make a good addition to our references section.

[Rickk]

more than you ever wanted to know ---->>>
   https://www.denix.osd.mil/denix/Public/ES-Programs/Conservation/Underwater/3-IRON-1.html



Also,
http://nautarch.tamu.edu/CRL/Report6/union.htm

and
http://www.anmm.gov.au/LIB/Anchors_and_Cannon.pdf

there is plenty more on internet where that came from.

[GGaskill]

I gather we need to put sodium hydroxide into the water

Actually the chemical to use is sodium carbonate (washing soda) as it is less corrosive than sodium hydroxide.

Check out this thread for more data.

[Double D]

That might work for derusting, but they guns are coming out of the ocean and need desalted first.

[A.Roads]

Thanks guys, I'll print those links off & get some reading done. Regards, Adrian.