Oil & Gas Exploration and Production Chemicals
Sulfuric Acid
Chemical Description
Sulfuric acid is a strong mineral acid. It is extremely corrosive to metals, living tissues, and even rocks. Sulfuric acid is hygroscopic, readily absorbing moisture from the air or materials with which it comes in contact. In appearance, it is a clear, colorless and odorless liquid. Due to its hazards - and its water-like appearance - it is sometimes dyed brown during manufacture to alert users of the hazards.
Common Industrial Uses of Sulfuric Acid
Sulfuric acid is available in a variety of concentrations, but the most common are 10%, 29%-32%, and 98%. Concentrations between 29% and 32% are most commonly used as battery acid.
More than half of the world's annual supply of sulfuric acid is used in the manufacture of fertilizers (superphosphates, ammonium phosphates, and ammonium sulfates). Another 20% of this supply is used in the manufacture of detergent products, pharmaceuticals, insecticides, antifreeze, and synthetic resins. A significant amount is used in the manufacture of inks, paints, enamels, and coated fabrics.
The remaining supply is used in a wide variety of applications which include explosives, batteries, cellophane, lubricants, and acetate.
Chemical Formula
- H2SO4
CAS No.
- 7664-93-9
Minimum Order Quantity
20 ton (40,000 pound) minimum order.
Note: CCUSA is a wholesale industrial and commercial bulk chemical supplier.
Safety Considerations
As a very strong acid, sulfuric acid decomposes proteins and lipids in living tissue, causing severe chemical burns and secondary thermal burns due to dehydration of the exposed tissue and the exothermic nature of sulfuric acid's reaction with the moisture liberated from the tissue. Ingestion can cause severe, and potentially deadly, damage to internal organs. Exposure to the corneas of the eyes can induce permanent blindness.
Sulfuric acid must be stored in sealed, non-reactive containers, such as glass. Acid in unsealed containers can absorb moisture from the air, unintentionally diluting the acid.
When preparing a lower concentration solution, the higher concentration acid must always be added to water, not the other way around. Adding the water to the concentrated acid can cause aerosolized sulfuric acid vapors to be liberated, or worse, an explosion.
Preparing solutions of greater than 35% concentration requires mechanical stirring and external cooling of the resulting solution. The generated by the reaction may be sufficient to boil the diluted acid.
Proper eye protection, face shield, aprons, and gloves must be worn at all times when handling sulfuric acid. Furthermore, a safety shower should be available to anyone handling this acid.
Common Names / Also Known As
-
Oil of vitriol
