Sulfuric Acid

Sulfuric acid is a highly corrosive strong mineral acid which is pungent-ethereal, colorless to slightly yellow viscous liquid and soluble in water at all concentrations. The historical name of this acid is oil of vitriol.

Sulfuric acid has a wide range of applications including domestic acidic drain cleaner, electrolyte in lead-acid batteries and various cleaning agents. Principal uses include mineral processing, fertilizer manufacturing, oil refining, wastewater processing, and chemical synthesis.

About 20% is used in chemical industry for production of detergents, synthetic resins, dyestuffs, pharmaceuticals, petroleum catalysts, insecticides and antifreeze, as well as in various processes such as oil well acidicizing, aluminum reduction, paper sizing and water treatment.

6% of it uses are related to pigments and include paints, enamels, printing inks, coated fabrics and paper, and the rest is dispersed into a multitude of applications such as production of cellophane, acetate and viscose textiles, lubricants, non-ferrous metals and batteries.

The major use for sulfuric acid is in the "wet method" for the production of phosphoric acid, used for manufacture of phosphate fertilizers. Another important use for sulfuric acid is for the manufacture of aluminum sulfate, also known as paper maker's alum. This can react with small amounts of soap on paper pulp fibers to give gelatinous aluminum carboxylates, which help to coagulate the pulp fibers into a hard paper surface.

It is also used for making aluminum hydroxide, which is used at water treatment plants to filter out impurities, as well as to improve the taste of the water.

NOTE! Sulfuric acid at a high concentration can cause very serious damage upon contact. It does not only cause chemical burns via hydrolysis, but also secondary thermal burns through dehydration. It can lead to permanent blindness if splashed onto eyes and irreversible damage if swallowed. Accordingly, safety precautions should be strictly observed when handling it.

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