Salt Water in Humidifier

DTXBrian wrote:

HoseCrusher wrote:A test like that has already been performed. The results indicated that at the mask vent flow rate there is some aerosol formed and salt from the water in the humidifier can make its way up the hose.

The higher the flow rate and the higher the pressure results in greater amounts of aerosol formed.

Huh, I didn't see reference to it in this thread. Must've overlooked it.

In any case, I imagine it also greatly depends upon a lot of things. The geometry of the humidifier tank, how full it is, the volume of air passing over it... also, I would imagine that most of the aerosol would collect on the sides of the hose and end up as rainout.

You expect us to believe you read every post in this dead thread from 10 years ago. All that's left is to read the dozen or so dead threads on the same thing. Only one thing matters, clean distilled water is the only thing that's supposed to be put in the HH, Tap water or bottled water can be used, if you are too lazy to do things right, at the danger of having to clean harder and more often, anything else belongs in the garden, to make your plants grow. (B.S.) Jim

If you want to smell the ocean, one can find aromatherapy products that will do that.
Then you will not have to clean the salt out of your equipment.

Bobshouse wrote:

wokeupinafog wrote:Recently my water softener in my house malfunctioned and put salt water in my water lines. I accidently filled my cool mist humidifier with said salt water. Previously the mist from the humidifier immediately dissipated, but with the salt water that I accidently added, the mist filled every room in my 1200 sq ft house from ceiling to floor. The only difference was the salt water in the humidifier. So, obviously in a cool mist humidifier the salt does go into the water vapor.
My whole house looked like a heavy fog.

Maybe because you just wokeupinafog?

NEWS FLASH: All water softener that use salt, put water into your house water, the sector is not to add enough to kill the people. Did the Fog Horn wake you up? Jim

Goofproof wrote: You expect us to believe you read every post in this dead thread from 10 years ago. All that's left is to read the dozen or so dead threads on the same thing. Only one thing matters, clean distilled water is the only thing that's supposed to be put in the HH, Tap water or bottled water can be used, if you are too lazy to do things right, at the danger of having to clean harder and more often, anything else belongs in the garden, to make your plants grow. (B.S.) Jim

I did actually glance over the old posts in the thread. I didn't read it in depth, no.

I absolutely believe you should NOT use saltwater in the humidifier. We're on the same page in this.

The reason I proposed the "experiment" was to demonstrate that evaporated water is not, at all, still salty. That's the entire premise behind distillation itself.

Instead of a salt water solution, why not use just the salt and gently(low setting) heat it withhe humidifer source? this will produce some ionization and leave only salt in the tank.
have not tried this yet as i am new to the therapy and do not have any salt yet. will get to it in the next day or so.

Don

donsharon wrote:Instead of a salt water solution, why not use just the salt and gently(low setting) heat it withhe humidifer source? this will produce some ionization and leave only salt in the tank.
have not tried this yet as i am new to the therapy and do not have any salt yet. will get to it in the next day or so.

Don

Is your machine still under warranty? If so, chances are that you'll void the warranty by adding other things.
The user manuals have traditionally recommended distilled water.

From the ResMed AirSense 10 manual:

Use distilled water only

With over 19000 hours on my machine I am not too concerned with any effect of adding salt to my humidifier water on my machine...

I will caution that the biggest risk is if you knock your machine off of its stand and flood the interior of the machine with salt water. Distilled water may also damage the interior of the machine under these circumstances but salt water may do additional damage.

If you don't spill the water into the machine and enjoy being congestion free for the most part a little experiment may pay off.

Keep in mind that I am using an S8 machine and have only tested the S8 and S9 machines. They seem to form a bit of aerosol during use and that aerosol is what carries the salt ions up the hose. I have not checked the S10 but my machine is getting old and I plan to replace it with an S10. When I do so I will report back.

Until then, I mask up imagining I am at the beach ready to go diving in the coral reef and wake up free of congestion. Restful sleep is wonderful.

While I am at it I believe in creature comforts. I use a ramp of 5 minutes, and utilize EPR, and add a little salt to the distilled water in my humidifier water. Any speculation of causing damage to my machine and humidifier tank are not founded and after 19000+ hours I don't think they are going to materialize.

I will add that this is not a recommendation but simply what has worked for me.

I don't believe that adding pure salt will be harmful. (Opinion)
It might help inhibit algae growth, but will make your tank a beast to clean.
One note--avoid using iodized salt. The gaseous iodine smells horrible, and could make you sick.
(Still opinion)

Is bronchitis more prevalent in coastal populations? They breathe a lot of salt-laden air.

OP from 2007 but in any case I think the salt still will not evaporate and stay behind possibly causing corrosion to the chamber. Could it be that those by the ocean are simply used to more humidity?

Hi HoseChrusher,
Thanks for the in depth report. It sounds wonderful. I await any updates you may have on the S10.

xxyzx wrote:

TASmart wrote:Is bronchitis more prevalent in coastal populations? They breathe a lot of salt-laden air.

=====
i got it from a humidifier with plain water that dispensed mineral particles into the air
never a problem breathing humid air whether salt or otherwise

The only way that can happen is if you were using an ultrasonic humidifier. xPAP machines do not work in that manner. Notwithstanding that there may some turbulence related carry of droplets, but I think that risk is minimal. You are just scaring people who do not know better.