Sulfuric Acid

Sulfuric Acid (H₂SO₄) is a highly corrosive, dense liquid commonly used in industrial processes such as fertilizer production, petroleum refining, and chemical manufacturing. It has strong acidic properties, is completely soluble in water, and reacts violently with many substances, making it vital in applications like metal processing and battery production. Available in high concentrations, it must be handled with caution due to its reactivity and corrosiveness.

Category: Uncategorised

Description

Sulfuric Acid (H₂SO₄) is a powerful, versatile acid widely recognized for its essential role in industrial applications. It is colorless to slightly yellow in its concentrated form, exhibiting strong corrosive properties and the ability to react with metals, water, and organic compounds. Sulfuric acid is critical in producing fertilizers, refining petroleum, and manufacturing a wide range of chemicals. Its role as a dehydrating agent and oxidizer further extends its use to industries such as mining and battery production, where its high reactivity is leveraged for specific chemical processes.

Key Information

Molecular Formula: H₂SO₄
CAS Number: 7664-93-9

Chemical Properties of Sulfuric Acid

pH: Highly acidic with a pH of less than 1 for concentrated solutions
Corrosiveness: Extremely corrosive to metals and tissue, particularly in concentrated form.
Reactivity: Reacts violently with water, generating heat. It reacts with many metals, producing hydrogen gas, which can form explosive mixtures with air. It also reacts with organic materials and certain chemicals, causing decomposition.
Oxidizing Properties: In high concentrations, sulfuric acid acts as a strong oxidizing agent, facilitating various chemical reactions.

Applications

Fertilizer Manufacturing:
Primarily used in producing phosphoric acid, which is a key ingredient in the production of phosphate fertilizers.
Petroleum Refining:
Used to remove impurities from crude oil during the refining process, enhancing the quality of the final petroleum products.
Chemical Production:
Serves as a precursor in producing chemicals such as hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, and sulfate salts.
Metal Processing:
Used in pickling processes to clean and remove oxidation from metals like iron and steel before further processing.
Battery Acid:
Sulfuric acid is the electrolyte in lead-acid batteries, widely used in vehicles and industrial power storage.
Water Treatment:
Helps in pH control and neutralization of alkaline substances in industrial wastewater and drinking water.
Textile and Dye Industry:
Involved in manufacturing dyes and in the finishing processes of textiles.
Pharmaceuticals:
Used as a catalyst in synthesizing a range of pharmaceutical ingredients and intermediates.
Mining:
Employed in leaching ores to extract valuable metals, particularly copper and uranium.
Cleaning Agents:
Included in various industrial cleaning formulations for heavy-duty cleaning of machinery and pipelines.

Analysis

Property	Limit	Units	Test Method
Acid Concentration	Approx. 98	Percent (%)	ASTM E223
Density	1.83	Kg/Lit	ASTM E223
Fe	<40	ppm	ICP-OES
So2	<40	ppm	ASTM E223
HCl	<10	ppm	ISO 2877
Mn	<1	ppm	ICP-OES
As	<1	ppm	ICP-OES
Zn	<1	ppm	ICP-OES
Cl	<10	ppm	ISO 2877
Cu	<1	ppm	ICP-OES
Ni	<1	ppm	ICP-OES
Cd	<1	ppm	ICP-OES
Pb	<1	ppm	ICP-OES
Hg	<1	ppm	ICP-OES
Turbidity	<10	ppm	TURBIDIMETER 2100N
Physical State	Liquid	-

MSDS

1. Hazards Identification:

Classification: Corrosive (to skin, eyes, and respiratory tract)
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements:
- Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
- Harmful if inhaled
- May cause respiratory irritation

2. Composition/Information on Ingredients:

Sulfuric Acid Concentration: Typically 93-98%
Water Concentration: Balance

3. First-Aid Measures:

Inhalation: Move to fresh air immediately. Seek medical attention if breathing is difficult.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing and wash skin thoroughly with water. Get medical attention immediately.
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Seek immediate medical care.
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting. Rinse mouth and seek medical attention immediately.

4. Fire-Fighting Measures:

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, dry chemical, or foam.
Hazardous Combustion Products: Sulfur dioxide and sulfur trioxide gases may be released.
Protective Equipment: Use self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and full protective gear.

5. Accidental Release Measures:

Personal Precautions: Evacuate area and use personal protective equipment (PPE), including acid-resistant gloves, goggles, and respiratory protection.
Spill Cleanup: Neutralize with soda ash or lime. Absorb with inert material and dispose of according to local regulations.

6. Handling and Storage:

Handling: Avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing. Ensure good ventilation in work areas.
Storage: Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area in corrosion-resistant containers. Keep away from incompatible materials like bases and metals.

7. Exposure Controls/Personal Protection:

Engineering Controls: Ensure proper ventilation in enclosed areas.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
- Respiratory Protection: Use acid-gas respirator.
- Hand Protection: Acid-resistant gloves (e.g., neoprene, butyl rubber).
- Eye Protection: Safety goggles or face shields.
- Skin Protection: Acid-resistant protective clothing and footwear.

8. Physical and Chemical Properties:

Appearance: Clear, colorless to slightly yellow liquid
Odor: Odorless
pH: Highly acidic (pH < 1)
Boiling Point: ~337°C
Melting Point: 10°C
Solubility: Completely soluble in water, generating heat

9. Stability and Reactivity:

Stability: Stable under normal conditions.
Reactivity: Reacts violently with water and releases heat. Corrosive to metals.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Sulfur oxides when heated.

10. Toxicological Information:

Acute Toxicity: Corrosive to skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. Harmful if inhaled or ingested.
Chronic Effects: Long-term exposure can result in chronic respiratory conditions and damage to the lungs.

11. Ecological Information:

Environmental Impact: Harmful to aquatic life. May lower pH of water bodies, impacting aquatic organisms.
Persistence and Degradability: Can be neutralized by natural buffering agents in the environment.

12. Disposal Considerations:

Waste Disposal: Neutralize before disposal and dispose of in accordance with local regulations.
Contaminated Packaging: Dispose of safely or clean thoroughly for reuse if permitted.

13. Transport Information:

UN Number: 1830
Transport Hazard Class: 8 (Corrosive)
Packing Group: II
Proper Shipping Name: Sulfuric Acid
Environmental Hazards: Marine pollutant if spilled.

14. Regulatory Information:

Safety Regulations: Complies with OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200), WHMIS (Canada), and REACH (Europe).

15. Other Information:

Training Advice: Personnel handling sulfuric acid should be trained on safety procedures and proper use of personal protective equipment.
Labeling Requirements: Containers must be clearly labeled with hazard symbols and precautionary statements.

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