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1. Stu Leachman

   

   0 posts
   
   12/8/2014 4:12 PM

   Hi Folks,
   
   We are looking for an affordable alternative to sulphuric acid for our injection program. Wondering what other people might be using or if anyone has done any research into different options. Thanks.
   
   Stu

   
   
   
   
2. Michael Hummel

   

   0 posts
   
   12/15/2014 8:12 AM

   Stu:
   
   What part of the country are you working in? Have you looked into sulphur burners versus injection?

   
   
   
   
3. Jose Angel Sanchez Alcala

   

   0 posts
   
   12/15/2014 3:12 PM

   In the golf courses in which I am employed at the south of Spain we were using sulphuric acid and we replace it with phosphoric acid. Like this, we reduce the contribution of sulphur in those greens in which the possible appearance of the black layer was worrying. In addition if you have high concentrations of calcium and high pH conditions probably you will need extra contributions of phosphorus, for that reason it is very interesting the use of this type of acid. The only problem is that it is more expensive, though its managing is less dangerous.

   
   
   
   
4. Stu Leachman

   

   0 posts
   
   12/16/2014 9:12 AM

   Hi Michael,
   
   We are in Calgary, Alberta. I am told we cannot use a sulphur burner as our irrigation pond overflows into a natural creek. The irrigation pond is spring fed and flows into the creek almost constantly. It is an argument I have to pursue a little further but for now sulphur burning is out.
   
   Stu

   
   
   
   
5. David Stout

   

   0 posts
   
   12/16/2014 11:12 AM

   Just out of curiosity, what is your intended result of acid injection?

   
   
   
   
6. Stu Leachman

   

   0 posts
   
   12/16/2014 12:12 PM

   David Stout said: Just out of curiosity, what is your intended result of acid injection?

   
   
   Hi David,
   
   The pH of our irrigation water can get as high as 9 to 9.2. So we are using acid to first lower the pH of our water and in turn try to balance out the pH of our soil. The acid system was implemented about 7 years ago when the course was struggling with Take- patch and some poor soil conditions. The take all is since largely under control and the soil pH is much more balanced throughout the course, but our soil sulphur numbers have started to climb over the past couple years. Since we can't burn sulphur, we are looking for another acid alternative that is reasonably affordable.
   
   Stu

   
   
   
   
7. Michael Rogers

   

   2 posts
   
   12/17/2014 4:12 AM

   Stu,
   
   The phosphoric acid is not more expensive when you consider the fertilizer value up until the point that you no longer need P. N acid is also cheaper if you need the N it contributes.
   
   I will send you an email with some info.
   
   Michael Rogers
   Down to EARTH Water Management

   
   
   
   
8. Nowakowski Michael J

   
   12/18/2014 1:12 AM

   Am I wrong here or is an acid injection and sulphur burner basically both types of "injection" systems. Both are between the pond and the pump outlet so no flow back into the pond would result in water ever going back into the creek running by your course. Might be missing something here, has been at least 10 years since I looked into sulphur burners.

   
   
   
   
9. Michael Rogers

   

   2 posts
   
   12/18/2014 5:12 AM

   Michael,
   
   The sulfur burners I have seen here in Spain and Portugal reduce pH to something like 2 in a smaller volume of water and then it gets mixed around a holding lake to balance out the pH to desired level.
   
   An acid injection system normally injects directly into irrigation line, has a back feed to check pH so it would not go into lake and have the chance to overflow.
   
   The acid injection is more precise but the sulfur burner a fraction of the price to get to same pH. Supers generally play with the burn rate and burn time and use a pH meter for irrigation product to get sulfur burner in ball park of desired pH.
   
   Saludos Michael Rogers

   
   
   
   
10. Dennis Petruzzelli

    

    5 posts
    
    1/6/2015 11:01 AM

    Several years ago I used a synthetic acid with a pH of 2 and was safer to handle than sulfuric acid or phosphoric acid. Did inject it to improve my irrigation water quality and water "performance" enhancing infiltration. Also injected in conjunction with a penetrant to minimize runoff.
    
    The product has changed and I believe the company has as well. I'm pretty sure you could easily locate a synthetic acid to inject, possibly a wetting agent manufacturer or liquid fertilizer company. Product did what I wanted and did see improvement in the turf. One of the biggest benefits was the ease of handling.
    
    Good luck,
    
    Dennis Petruzzelli, CGCS
    CC of Woodbridge
    Woodbridge, CT