achievements of the chemical industry of the modern world of today allow you to create new substances and materials, using a variety of chemical compounds.One example is concentrated sulfuric acid, which is very common in the chemical industry.
Sulfuric acid having the formula H2SO4, is a colorless liquid Pancake consistency, which upon reaching 10,4 ° C is converted into a solid crystalline mass.Concentrated sulfuric acid containing 96.4% SO4, and its density is very high and reaches 1.87 g / cm, resulting in 1 liter of undiluted sulfuric acid weighs about 2 kg.It is noteworthy that if the acid is dissolved in water, the temperature rises considerably, since the reaction therein a large amount of hydrates.This remarkable property is widely used for the isolation of various substances as a result of temperature increase not only water but also other fluids.
Concentrated sulfuric acid is also used for drying gases, as it has the ability to absorb a pair of different liquids.The same property explains some charring organic substances, especially carbohydrates, in contact with the acid.The fact that carbohydrates contain hydrogen and oxygen in the same ratio as the H2SO4, resulting in contact of these substances, sulfuric acid takes from carbohydrates water and carbon is released as carbon dust.
In the production of garden fertilizer concentrated sulfuric acid, the chemical properties which make it possible to use it as a good oxidizing agent, is also used to displace other volatile acids, salts.As a result, possible to produce fertilizers, such as superphosphate, ammonium sulfate and others.Through oxidative properties, it is used for the oxidation of metals, a number of challenges in interfacing to and inclusive of silver, thereby forming two series of salts - sulfates (medium type) and hydrosulfates (acid type) to isolate the ester.
Sulfuric acid - a highly corrosive liquid, which also has hazardous vapors.Maximum allowable concentration of H2SO4 vapor is 1 mg / m3, so that all employees dealing with sulfuric acid, is given special clothing and personal protective equipment.Concentrated sulfuric acid, the properties of which are extremely dangerous to humans without protection, is used in the following areas:
- industrial organic synthesis;
- production of medicinal drugs use;
- cleaning oil;
- leather and metal industry;
- the production of dyes, plastics, detergents and so on.
Sulfuric acid is produced in two industrial methods - with the use of solid contacts (catalysts), and using nitrogen oxides (nitrous method).The raw materials most often acts sulfur, but for certain types of sulfuric acid, metal sulfides can be used.The industry produces concentrated sulfuric acid of the following types: technical, oil of vitriol, net (battery), oleum (a solution of anhydride) and towers.
Finally, it should again be emphasized that the sulfuric acid is corrosive to the toxic substances Hazard Class 2.If inhalation of vapors formed acid burns of the upper respiratory tract, accompanied by a strong cough that can grow into a bronchitis, tracheitis and laryngitis.That is why when working with sulfuric acid, much attention is paid to the high degree of protection of workers from the harmful effects of liquid and essential component of the substance.
