Liquid Solar Blanket

[chem geek]

They shouldn't matter. They generally stay on top of the water as a thin film and if they do get sucked into the skimmer and go through the SWG they probably won't break down very much because they are mostly long-chain saturated organics and do not have nitrogen nor sulfur sites (nor double bonds) where chlorine would normally attack. I don't believe the increased salt levels will interfere with this product either.

Just remember that the product doesn't work well in windy environments.

[neeliec]

Thank you! That is very helpful!

[pool enthus.]

i can almost positively say it is not rubbing alcohol. alcohol would mix with the water and not stay on top. further more alcohol has a very high evaporation rate. it actually evaporates several times faster than water.

Yes that is completely true, rubbing alcohol is made of mostly ethanol though with isopropanol making it deadly to consume (pentanol is deadly to consume even in low quantities). Ethanol is the key ingredient in alcoholic which makes people drunk. This means that rubbing alcohol is not what they use because it reacts with people in a very negative way (toxic/intoxication). Water and enthanol/pentanol are also both polar and so the two compounds will mix. Therefore the compound must be a non polar compound in order for the compound to be immiscible and therefore make 2 layers. (this follows the old saying like dissolves like, think about oil and water, where oil is a non polar compound). Also, the compound would have to be less dense than water so that it will float to the top. Also the evaporation of ethanol is much greater than water due to its lack of hydrogen bonds making the intermolecular forces less strength and thereby easier to evaporate.

So therefore, the compound would have to be some kind of non polar compound with high intermolecular forces, most likely some synthetic compound or a derived chemical from a naturally occurring polymer, or something of that nature.

[pool enthus.]

Rubbing alcohol is made of mostly ethanol though with isopropanol making it toxic to consume (pentanol is deadly to consume even in low quantities). Ethanol is the key ingredient in alcoholic which makes people drunk. This means that rubbing alcohol is not what they use because it reacts with people in a very negative way (toxic/intoxication). Water and enthanol/pentanol are also both polar and so the two compounds will mix. Therefore the compound must be a non polar compound in order for the compound to be immiscible and therefore make 2 layers. (this follows the old saying like dissolves like, think about oil and water, where oil is a non polar compound). Also, the compound would have to be less dense than water so that it will float to the top. Also the evaporation of ethanol is much greater than water due to its lack of hydrogen bonds making the intermolecular forces less strength and thereby easier to evaporate.

So therefore, the compound would have to be some kind of non polar compound with high intermolecular forces, most likely some synthetic compound or a derived chemical from a naturally occurring polymer, or something of that nature.

[chem geek]

We've already talked about this earlier in this thread here. The active ingredient in these products is one or both of cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. Calcium hydroxide is used as a dispersant (that dissolves in water) while isoproponol (isopropyl alcohol) is the carrier that evaporates.

[haulinash]

We have an inground pool and use baquacil chemicals. I would like to try the solar pill to reduce heat loss but my husband is concerned about possible interactions with the chemicals. He says if we don't like it, how do we get rid of it. I can't answer that one. Can anybody help?

[chem geek]

I doubt very much that there will be any interaction between Baquacil or the oxidizer used in such pools, hydrogen peroxide, with the Solar Pill chemicals.

[thepoolzone]

Yes, I have tried the solar fish and the solar pill by sea kleer. They both raised the temp by about 5 degrees for 2-3 weeks. It's worth it if you ask me!

[nicolegl]

For those of you who do not think the comercial brands of Liquid Solar pool Cover is very expensive, just wanted to let you know I make my own for $10.00 per gallon. You can learn more about how to make it

I have made the liquid sular blanket with isopropyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol but it leaves a whitish depot ion the surface of the pool and doesnt not seem to dissminate over the entire pool

[chem geek]

As I noted in an earlier post, calcium hydroxide is used as a dispersant and the exact proportions and formulation are proprietary, though this is described somewhat in patent 6,303,133.

[Amateur Chemist]

I have read many of the replies to this question, but while the chemicals released by the "fish" will provide some form of trap for evaporation of water (thus retaining some heat in your pool), I think the question of do you want a thin layer of an isopropyl alcohol compound or suspension sitting in your pool (at or near the surface) for your children to eat/drink? One can get pretty sick from isopropyl alcohol ingestion (rubbing alcohol - you wouldn't want to drink it!), and the other chemicals that may be present are no better. If your kids are like mine... they are always spitting out mouthfuls of pool water. MMmmmmm isopropyl alcohol + OTHER secret ingredients.... yummy. Even if you just put this on for an overnight heat layer... as you can read from other contributors here... there is often a film or layer at the water surface that you cant easily skim off. My recommendation - pool covers suck and are a pain to take on and off - but no one ever got sick from one - leave the extra chemicals out of the pool.

[Amateur Chemist]

I have read many of the replies to this question, but while the chemicals released by the "fish" will provide some form of trap for evaporation of water (thus retaining some heat in your pool), I think the question of do you want a thin layer of an isopropyl alcohol compound or suspension sitting in your pool (at or near the surface) for your children to eat/drink? One can get pretty sick from isopropyl alcohol ingestion (rubbing alcohol - you wouldn't want to drink it!), and the other chemicals that may be present are no better. If your kids are like mine... they are always spitting out mouthfuls of pool water. MMmmmmm isopropyl alcohol + OTHER secret ingredients.... yummy. Even if you just put this on for an overnight heat layer... as you can read from other contributors here... there is often a film or layer at the water surface that you cant easily skim off. My recommendation - pool covers suck and are a pain to take on and off - but no one ever got sick from one - leave the extra chemicals out of the pool.

Ahhh,.. I found ONE of the "SECRET ingredients" used to create the thin layer of chemicals that retard evaporation rate: Polyoxyethylene (2) lauryl ether is often used in these "fish." This is a so-called "fatty alcohol" used in cleaners, cosmetics, sanitizers, defoamers, other industrial applications... So, to be fair, this chemical/molecule is considered RELATIVELY safe - but in all of its applications for human use... it is always topical! I stand by my comments... you probably don't want the kids ingesting the stuff.

[chem geek]

The isopropyl alcohol evaporates. It is the long-chained hydrocarbon alcohols such as cetyl or stearyl alcohols that remain. Do you have a link to your source that Polyoxyethylene lauryl ether is being used?

[Idahoginny]

Here in Texas I am not concerned about heating the pool, but, in our worst drought in recorded history, I want to save on evaporation. The pool is free formed with waterfalls, so using a real solar blanket seems out of the question. I would like to try the liquid solar blanket, But I am concerned about how much water surface disturbance will affect the surface tension and the effectiveness of the product. I have small ripples generated by the pool recirculating system and the hose to the polaris. It's generally in the high 70's at night when the surface is smooth. Will this product work in my situation?

[John75]

Hi idahojinny! Have you checked this guide to swimming pool heaters at www.indoorpoolguide.com/heating-systems