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Product identifier
Identification of the substance Sulphuric acid 98.20+ %
CAS number 7664-93-9
Alternative name(s) Sulphuric acid, sulfuric acid
Sulfuric acid (alternative spelling sulphuric acid) is a highly corrosive strong mineral acid with the molecular formula H2SO4 and molecular weight 98.079 g/mol. It is a pungent-ethereal, colorless to slightly yellow viscous liquid that is soluble in water at all concentrations. Sometimes, it is dyed dark brown during production to alert people to its hazards. The historical name of this acid is oil of vitriol.
Sulfuric acid is a diprotic acid and shows different properties depending upon its concentration. Its corrosiveness on other materials, like metals, living tissues or even stones, can be mainly ascribed to its strong acidic nature and, if concentrated, strong dehydrating and oxidizing properties. Sulfuric acid at a high concentration can cause very serious damage upon contact, since not only does it 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. Moreover, it is hygroscopic, readily absorbing water vapour from the air.
Sulfuric acid has a wide range of applications including in domestic acidic drain cleaners, as an electrolyte in lead-acid batteries and in various cleaning agents. It is also a central substance in the chemical industry. Principal uses include mineral processing, fertilizer manufacturing, oil refining, wastewater processing, and chemical synthesis. It is widely produced with different methods, such as contact process, wet sulfuric acid process, lead chamber process and some other methods.
Sulfuric acid is also a key substance in the chemical industry . It is must commonly used in fertilizer manufacture , but is also important in mineral processing , oil refining , wastewater in mineral processing , and chemical synthesis . It has a wide range of end applications including in domestic acidic drain cleaners , in dehydrating a compound , and in various cleaning agents .
Grades of sulfuric acid
Although nearly 100 % sulfuric acid solutions can be made , the subsequent loss of SO3 at the boiling point brings the concentration to 98.3% acid . The 98.3% grade is more stable in storage , and is the usual form of what is described as ” concentrated sulfuric acid “. Other concentrations are used for different purposes . Some common concentrations are .” Chamber acid ” and “tower acid ” were the two concentrations of sulfuric acid produced by the lead chamber process , chember acid being the acid produced in the lead chamber itself ( < 70 % to avoid contamination with nitrosylsulfuric acid ) and tower acid being the acid recovered from thr bottom of the Glover tower . They are now obsolete as commercial concentrations of sulfuric acid , although they may be prepared in the laboratory from concentrated sulfuric acid if needed . In particular , ” 10 M ” sulfuric acid ( the modern equivalent of chember acid , used in many titrations ) is prepared by slowly adding 98 % sulfuric acid to an equal volume of water , with good stirring : the temperature of the mixture can rise to 80 deg. C (176 deg . F ) or higher .
Pure sulfuric acid has a vaper pressure of < 0.001 mmHg at 25 deg . C mmHgat 145.8 Deg. C and 98 % sulfuric acid has a < 1 mmHg vapor pressure at 40 deg . C .
Pure sulfuric acid as sold in liquied , like oil , and this explains the old name of the acid ( oil of vitriol ) .
Equilibrium of anhydrous sulfuric acid
Species mMol/kg
HSO4- 15.0
H3SO4+ 11.3
H3O+ 8.0
HS2O7 4.4
H2S2O7 3.6
H2O 0.1
Similarly , mixing starch into concentrated sulfuric acid will give elemental carbon and water as absorbed by the sulfuric acid ( which becomes slightly diluted ) . The effect of this can be seen when concentraded sulfuric acid is spilled on paper which is composed of cellulose , the cellulose reacts to give a burnt appearance , the carbon appears much as soot would in a fire . Altough less dramatic , the action of the acid on cotton , even in diluted form , will destroy the fabric .
on cotton, even in diluted form, will destroy the fabric.
The reaction with copper(II) sulfate can also demonstrate the dehydration property of sulfuric acid. The blue crystal is changed into white powder as water is removed.
As an acid, sulfuric acid reacts with most bases to give the corresponding sulfate. For example, the blue copper salt copper(II) sulfate, commonly used for electroplating and as a fungicide, is prepared by the reaction of copper(II) oxide with sulfuric acid:
Cuo (s) + H2SO4 (aq) -CuSO4 (aq) + H2O(I)
Sulfuric acid can also be used to displace weaker acids from their salts. Reaction with sodium acetate, for example, displaces acetic acid, CH3COOH
and forms sodium bisulfate:
H2SO4 + CH3COONa – NaHSO4+ CH3COOH
The above reaction is thermodynamically favored due to the high bond enthalpy of the Si- F bond in the Side product , Protonation using simply HF/SbF, however , have met with failure , as pure sulfuric acid undergoes self – ionization to give {h3so4 } + by the HF/SbF system .
Hot concentrated sulfuric acid oxidizes non – metals such as carbon ( as bituminous coal ) and sulfar .
C + 2 H2SO4 – CO2 + 2SO2 + 2H2O
S + 2H2SO4 – 3SO2 + 2H2O
Sulfuric acid is a very important commodity chemical, and indeed, a nation’s sulfuric acid production is a good indicator of its industrial strength .World production in the year 2004 was about 180 million tonnes with the following geographic distribution: Asia 35%, North America (including Mexico) 24%, Africa 11%, Western Europe 10%, Eastern Europe and Russia 10%, Australia and Oceania 7%, South America 7 % Most of this amount (≈60%) is consumed for fertilizers, particularly superphosphates, ammonium phosphate and ammonium sulfates. 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, aluminium reduction, paper sizing, water treatment. About 6% of 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 explosives,
cellophane , acetate and viscose textiles , lubricants , non – ferrous metals , and batteries .
On a laboratory scale, sulfuric acid can be diluted by pouring concentrated acid onto crushed ice made from de-ionized water. The ice melts in an endothermic process while dissolving the acid. The amount of heat needed to melt the ice in this process is greater than the amount of heat evolved by dissolving the acid so the solution remains cold. After all the ice has melted, further dilution can take place using water.
The main occupational risks posed by this acid are skin contact leading to burns (see above) and the inhalation of aerosols. Exposure to aerosols at high concentrations leads to immediate and severe irritation of the eyes, respiratory tract and mucous membranes: this ceases rapidly after exposure, although there is a risk of subsequent pulmonary adema if tissue damage has been more severe. At lower concentrations, the most commonly reported symptom of chronic exposure to sulfuric acid aerosols is erosion of the teeth, found in virtually all studies: indications of possible chronic damage to the respiratory tract are inconclusive as of 1997. Repeated occupational exposure to sulfuric acid mists may increase the chance of lung cancer by up to 64 % .
Hazard Statement: May be corrosive to metals.
Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
May cause respiratory irritation.
May cause cancer if inhaled.
Harmful to aquatic life.
Precautionary
Statement
Prevention: Obtain special instructions before use. Do not handle until all safety
precautions have been read and understood. Keep only in original
container. Wash thoroughly after handling. Do not breathe
dust/fume/gas/mist/vapors/spray. Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated
area. Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face
protection.
Response: IF exposed or concerned: Get medical advice/attention. Absorb spillage to
prevent material damage. Immediately call a POISON CENTER or
doctor/physician. IF SWALLOWED: Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting.
IF ON SKIN (or hair): Remove/take off immediately all contaminated
clothing. Rinse skin with water/shower. Wash contaminated clothing before
reuse. IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove
contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing. IF INHALED:
Remove victim to fresh air and keep at rest in a position comfortable for
breathing.
Storage: Store locked up. Store in corrosive resistant container with a resistant inner
liner. Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed.
Disposal: Dispose of contents/container to an appropriate treatment and disposal
facility in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, and product
characteristics at time of disposal.
Other hazards which do not
result in GHS classification:
None .
Personal precautions,
protective equipment and
emergency procedures:
Keep unauthorized personnel away. Keep upwind. Use personal protective
equipment. See Section 8 of the SDS for Personal Protective Equipment.
Ventilate closed spaces before entering them. Do not touch damaged
containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective
clothing.
Methods and material for
containment and cleaning
up:
Neutralize spill area and washings with soda ash or lime. Absorb spill with
vermiculite or other inert material, then place in a container for chemical
waste. Clean surface thoroughly to remove residual contamination. Dike far
ahead of larger spill for later recovery and disposal.
Notification Procedures: Dike for later disposal. Prevent entry into waterways, sewer, basements or
confined areas. Stop the flow of material, if this is without risk. Inform
authorities if large amounts are involved.
Version: 2.0
Revision Date: 02-02-2015
SDS_US – SDSMIX000168 4/10
Environmental Precautions: Do not contaminate water sources or sewer. Prevent further leakage or
spillage if safe to do so. Avoid discharge into drains, water courses or onto
the ground.
7. Handling and storage
Precautions for safe handling: Do not get in eyes, on skin, on clothing. Do not taste or swallow. Wash
hands thoroughly after handling. Do not eat, drink or smoke when using the
product. Use caution when adding this material to water. Add material
slowly when mixing with water. Do not add water to the material; instead,
add the material to the water. Do not handle until all safety precautions
have been read and understood. Obtain special instructions before use.
Use personal protective equipment as required.
Conditions for safe storage,
including any
incompatibilities:
Do not store in metal containers. Keep in a cool, well-ventilated place. Keep
container tightly closed. Store in a dry place.
Individual protection measures, such as personal protective equipment
General information: Good general ventilation (typically 10 air changes per hour) should be used.
Ventilation rates should be matched to conditions. If applicable, use
process enclosures, local exhaust ventilation, or other engineering controls
to maintain airborne levels below recommended exposure limits. If
exposure limits have not been established, maintain airborne levels to an
acceptable level. An eye wash and safety shower must be available in the
immediate work area.
Eye/face protection: Wear safety glasses with side shields (or goggles) and a face shield.
Skin Protection
Hand Protection: Chemical resistant gloves
Other: Wear suitable protective clothing.
Respiratory Protection: In case of inadequate ventilation use suitable respirator. Chemical
respirator with acid gas cartridge.
Hygiene measures: Provide eyewash station and safety shower. Always observe good personal
hygiene measures, such as washing after handling the material and before
eating, drinking, and/or smoking. Routinely wash work clothing to remove
contaminants. Discard contaminated footwear that cannot be cleaned.
Information on likely routes of exposure
Ingestion: May cause burns of the gastrointestinal tract if swallowed.
Inhalation: May cause damage to mucous membranes in nose, throat, lungs and
bronchial system.
Skin Contact: Causes severe skin burns.
Eye contact: Causes serious eye damage.
Acute hazards to the aquatic environment:
Fish
Product: No data available.
Specified substance(s):
SULFURIC ACID LC 50 (Starry, european flounder (Platichthys flesus), 48 h): 100 – 330 mg/l
Mortality
LC 50 (Western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis), 96 h): 42 mg/l Mortality
LC 50 (Goldfish (Carassius auratus), 96 h): 17 mg/l Mortality
Aquatic Invertebrates
Product: No data available.
Specified substance(s):
SULFURIC ACID LC 50 (Common shrimp, sand shrimp (Crangon crangon), 48 h): 70 – 80
mg/l Mortality
LC 50 (Aesop shrimp (Pandalus montagui), 48 h): 42.5 mg/l Mortality .
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