Talk:Sulfur sticks

What's the reaction between the sulfur and the ammonia? I can't find it anywhere online.

The sulfur stick would form sulfur dioxide when burned in air. I don't know for sure, but I suspect that ammonia would react with sulfur dioxide to form sulfamide.

GlowingApple (talk) 19:55, 31 December 2010 (UTC)[reply]

I'm not a chemist, but I was googling this question and found Ammonium sulfite is what is formed.

Also, in the article it says the Sulfur Stick is SMOLDERING, that is incorrect. It should be burning with an open flame to produce Sulphur Dioxide which then reacts with the ammonia vapors to produce a white smoke.

Link to a source (Garden City Ammonia Program)

https://www.gcapcoolcast.com/ammonia-leak-sulfur-stick-burning/ Mr ewe (talk) 19:05, 7 November 2024 (UTC)[reply]

Where did you find it was ammonium sulfite? Recon rabbit 19:13, 7 November 2024 (UTC)[reply]

It was one of the google AI generated topics at the top of the page. AI listed the GCAP page, this wiki article, and this paper as sources.

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/ie050734q

but it is behind a paywall, so I have only read the free bit. Mr ewe (talk) 19:24, 7 November 2024 (UTC)[reply]

I was able to read it, says that ammonium sulfite is formed with minor products (NH4)2SO3·H2O and (NH4)2S2O5. In the presence of water vapor. Which is of course going to be present in the air. I'll add this too, thank you! Recon rabbit 20:04, 7 November 2024 (UTC)[reply]

What are your thoughts on removing reference 3, the EPA response manual? The only mention of sulfur is on page 32 "Some methods that can be used for leak

testing are sulfur sticks, litmus paper, or a

portable meter equipped with a flexible probe."

I don't see that as overwhelmingly informative. Mr ewe (talk) 20:19, 7 November 2024 (UTC)[reply]

It could be taken out. If you feel it is appropriate. I was struggling to find "sulfur stick" mentions online. Recon rabbit 21:28, 7 November 2024 (UTC)[reply]