I learned something interesting a few weeks ago listening to Dr. Cameron Jack discuss oxalic acid applications. There has long been great confusion among beekeepers about whether we were actually vaporizing or sublimating oxalic into our hives.
Vaporization being taking a solid, converting it to liquid and then to gas. Sublimation being taking the solid and converting it straight to gas without ever liquefying it.
According to Jack, oxalic acid dihydrate, which is the approved compound in the US for treating varroa, is vaporized and not sublimated.
Only pure oxalic acid can be sublimated directly from solid to gas.
Virtually all of us (at least in the US) use oxalic acid dihydrate, therefore, we are vaporizing and not sublimating.
Many of you probably knew all of this, but that was not my previous understanding of the reaction. Thought I would share.
Vaporization being taking a solid, converting it to liquid and then to gas. Sublimation being taking the solid and converting it straight to gas without ever liquefying it.
According to Jack, oxalic acid dihydrate, which is the approved compound in the US for treating varroa, is vaporized and not sublimated.
Only pure oxalic acid can be sublimated directly from solid to gas.
Virtually all of us (at least in the US) use oxalic acid dihydrate, therefore, we are vaporizing and not sublimating.
Many of you probably knew all of this, but that was not my previous understanding of the reaction. Thought I would share.