Sulfuric acid what is it used for? Learn more

Sulfuric acid what is it used for? Sulfuric acid is a corrosive, yellowish-green, oily liquid. It smells like sour fruit and its fumes can irritate the respiratory tract and the eyes. Sulfuric acid is less dense than water, so it floats on top of water. Sulfuric acid has many uses in industry because it's very reactive and strong. For example, it's used to produce fertilizers by reacting with phosphate rocks to create phosphoric acid which can then be processed into fertilizer. It's also used in making nylon by reacting with coal or petroleum coke to create a chemical called adipic acid, which is then polymerized into nylon 6 fibers and various other nylons (polyamides).

Industrial uses of sulfuric acid

Below are some of the main uses for sulfuric acid in industry.

1. Electronics

Sulfuric acid what is it used for? Sulfuric acid is used to etch silicon wafers and to produce transistors. Adhesive tape and superglue are made from sulfuric acid. Sulfuric acid is also used in making semiconductors, capacitors, batteries and other electronic devices.

2. Explosives

Sulfuric acid is used in making gunpowder (the main ingredient). When sulfuric acid reacts with potassium nitrate, the resulting white powder called ammonium sulfate is mixed with charcoal to make gunpowder (the main ingredient). Ammonium sulfate contains 15% sulfur by weight and makes a terrific retaining agent for nitrates - it keeps them from flocculation during storage, handling etc.

3. Food and beverage

Sulfuric acid what is it used for? Sulfuric acid is used in the food and beverage industry to sterilize foods and beverages such as milk and wine. It's also used to make citric acid, lactic acid, acetic acid and other food products. It's sometimes used to make industrial alcohol.

4. Fertilizer

Sulfuric acid is used to produce fertilizers such as ammonium sulfate and sulfur trioxide. Ammonium sulfate is made by reacting sulfuric acid with ammonia or with phosphoric acid. Ammonium sulfate is a source of nitrogen, a critical plant nutrient. Sulfur trioxide is made by burning sulfur in oxygen and collecting the sulfur trioxide produced as a gas. When heated, it liquefies and becomes the ingredient called blistering agent or hexachloroethane, which forms an explosive mixture when mixed with air. It's used in making sulfuric acid.

5. Paper and board

Sulfuric acid what is it used for? Sulfuric acid has been used extensively in the paper and board industry to dissolve the varnishes in paintings and other artwork. It is also used to dissolve and neutralize any acidic traces left behind on paper, permanent or not. Acetic acid, which is made by combining sulfuric acid with alcohol, has many uses in the paper and board industry such as dissolving ink residues on paper. It's also sometimes used to make industrial alcohol.

6. Plastic

Sulfuric acid is used in the production of polystyrene, a plastic, by reacting with benzene. It's also used to make ethylene dichloride, another chemical used in producing plastics and polymers.

7. Woven products

Sulfuric acid is sometimes used to produce cellulose fiber which is then woven into clothing and other woven products. Cellulose fiber can be made from cotton or wood pulp or other vegetable products. Cotton cellulose fiber is also often mixed with chemicals such as acrylic and polyester resin to make synthetic fabric fibers such as rayon and nylon. Sulfuric acid is also used to dissolve the varnishes in paintings and other artwork.

8. Water treatment

Sulfuric acid what is it used for? Sulfuric acid is also used in water treatment. It can be used to precipitate out metals such as lead, zinc and iron in water. It's also very effective at reducing the pH level of water, which reduces corrosion in pipes and other manufactured products made of metal or plastic.

9. Petroleum refining

Sulfuric acid is used in the petroleum refining industry to manufacture olefins and aromatics. Olefins are hydrocarbons used to make polymers, fibers and plastics such as polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon and polystyrene. Aromatics such as benzene are used to make detergents, lubricants, pesticides and pharmaceuticals.

10. Sulfuric acid and sulfur trioxide

Sulfuric acid is also used in the synthesis of sulfur trioxide. Sulfur trioxide, which is a gas, can be used as an oxidizer in combustion processes such as gasification and steam reforming.

Conclusion

Sulfuric acid is a very versatile chemical that can be used to synthesize a wide range of chemicals, plastics and fibers. Its diverse uses also make it an important commodity in today's manufacturing industry.