Treating concrete with permanganate

I read that fresh concrete in ponds can be treated with a solution of
potassium permanganate (The Stapeley Book of Water Gardens by Stanley
Russell, David&Charles, 1985*). As a retired chemist, I'm aware that
permanganate is a strong oxidising agent and can be used as a
disinfectant when very dilute, but I don't understand why it should be
suitable for treating concrete, where I assume the aim is to
neutralise the high pH caused by unreacted lime and soluble calcium
alumino-silicates.

Has anyone else come across this, or tried it and found it to work?
Can anyone explain the chemistry to me, or even offer a simple
description of what is supposed to happen?

*Being new to ponds and bog gardens, I bought several S/H books on the
subject. This one is by far best and the most comprehensive.

--

Chris

E-mail: christopher[dot]hogg[at]virgin[dot]net

Chris,

We used acid to treat the surface. Same goal.

Jim

On Fri, 13 Jun 2008 16:19:16 EDT, Chris Hogg <> wrote:

>I read that fresh concrete in ponds can be treated with a solution of
>potassium permanganate (The Stapeley Book of Water Gardens by Stanley
>Russell, David&Charles, 1985*). As a retired chemist, I'm aware that
>permanganate is a strong oxidising agent and can be used as a
>disinfectant when very dilute, but I don't understand why it should be
>suitable for treating concrete, where I assume the aim is to
>neutralise the high pH caused by unreacted lime and soluble calcium
>alumino-silicates.

That's a new one to me... but back in 1985 who knows what they did. ;-)
Most people didn't know what the word internet meant, let alone have it or
a computer in their homes. So books could tell you anything, just like the
internet does today. ;-)

Muratic Acid 1 gallon per 1,000 gallons will neutralize the pH, usually.
Let it sit till the reading is at or below 7.0 for 2 days, add more if it
goes up. Drain and rinse well. ~ jan
------------
Zone 7a, SE Washington State
Ponds: www.jjspond.us

Chris Hogg wrote:
> I read that fresh concrete in ponds can be treated with a solution of
> potassium permanganate (The Stapeley Book of Water Gardens by Stanley
> Russell, David&Charles, 1985*). As a retired chemist, I'm aware that
> permanganate is a strong oxidising agent and can be used as a
> disinfectant when very dilute, but I don't understand why it should be
> suitable for treating concrete, where I assume the aim is to
> neutralise the high pH caused by unreacted lime and soluble calcium
> alumino-silicates.
>
> Has anyone else come across this, or tried it and found it to work?
> Can anyone explain the chemistry to me, or even offer a simple
> description of what is supposed to happen?
>
> *Being new to ponds and bog gardens, I bought several S/H books on the
> subject. This one is by far best and the most comprehensive.

G4 is I beleive the 'normal' method of sealing concrete.............
http://www.pondmegastore.co.uk/25kg-g4-clear-989-p.asp
HTH
--
Pete C
London UK

Thanks for the replies. My interest was academic, as I'm using the
minimum of exposed concrete (if possible, none at all), in the
construction of my pond.

A senior exec. in a company that manufactures permanganate saw my post
and e-mailed me confirming my own thoughts, that permanganate would
have absolutely no effect on the alkali release from concrete, and is
itself alkaline.

--

Chris

E-mail: christopher[dot]hogg[at]virgin[dot]net