Phyxis [7:05 PM November 12, 2005] -- phyxis@gmail.com
Getting that 60g NaCl::1000ml H2O ratio right...
Nalgene makes a container which I believe would be perfect for those looking to prepare a larger batch of -seed- brine (pre-electrolysis source mix) at between a 60::1000 to 100::1000 ratio. The container is a 30ml (1fl oz) nominal capacity cylinder made from clear polycarbonate with a slightly softer and cloudy (high density polyethylene?) screw-cap. After a bit of fiddling using a precision scale, I found that the container itself has some visual cues which can be used to measure out 3g of fine grain salt (I was using Baleine sea salt, but...):
With the container fully closed in front of you, incline the container 45 degrees (approximately), and draw a line from the center of the casting flash on the bottom of the container (^A) to the lowest visible point on the lower edge of the cap (^B). This marks off a section of the container (*C*) which if filled level would be 3g of salt. The two examples which follow were done using a scale with a resolution of 0.1g. In the field you're unlikely to be so precise about it. :-)
Assuming precisely 3g of fine-grain sea salt was added...
Filling with water to the score-mark (where the lower edge of the cap overlaps to) yields a ratio of 3g Salt :: 18.5ml Water, which works out to be 162g Salt :: 1000ml Water. This would be appropriate for most users, since they're unlikely to shake the container long enough to get 100% of the salt either dissolved, or into suspension. Also keep in mind that these numbers are derived using extremely fine-grain sea salt (which isn't pure NaCl) and tap water (which isn't pure H2O), and assume that there is incomplete mixture (some of that 3g of salt isn't mixed in).
Filling to the absolute top of the container yields a ratio of 3g Salt :: 30.5ml Water, which works out to be 100g Salt :: 1000ml Water. This would be appropriate for those users who want a bit of a workout. ;-) Again, keep in mind that these numbers are derived using extremely fine-grain sea salt (which isn't pure NaCl) and tap water (which isn't pure H2O), and still assume a partially incomplete mixture.
For comparison's sake, 2g of Salt is less than 1mm shy of the line described above, but represents a 1/3 reduction in Salt... yielding ratios of 108g Salt :: 1000ml Water, and 66g Salt :: 1000ml Water, respectively. Be mindful of this if you decide you want to aim towards a lower salt to water ratio for your brine.
My apologies for the ASCII art... you'll need to look at it using a monospaced font like Courier in order for it to be all lined up properly, but I took a stab and padded it enough to look okay in a proportional spaced font as well. :-)
........................... ........................... ../=====================\.. ..H=====================H.. ..H=====================H.. ..H=====================H.. ..^B.|###############|..... .....|###############|..... .....*###############|..... .....***#############|..... .....*****###########|..... .....***C***#########|..... .....*********=======|..... .....|.......!.......|..... .............^A............ ...........................
A few photos of what it looks like in real life. Images can be clicked on for full sized versions.
Empty container with markings.
Empty container with markings, cap removed.
Fine-grain sea salt added.
Water from known-safe source added.