General information about Sulfuric Acid
Sulfuric acid (Hydrogen Sulfate, Battery Acid, Sulfuric Acid, Vitriol Oil) is a key chemical in the global chemical industry. Whether concentrated or as a water-based solution, the chemical performs important functions in countless manufacturing processes and has indispensable properties for global industry.
With an annual global production of over 150 million metric tons, industrially produced acid has become the most important chemical in modern industry. Since sulfuric acid is used in the production of goods in almost all everyday areas, global demand is correspondingly high. As a result, sulfuric acid is often referred to as the "blood of chemistry." Some key properties distinguish sulfuric acid and thus contribute to solving industry requirements.
Other applications of sulfuric acid
As already indicated, sulfuric acid is required in the manufacture of a large number of everyday goods: the production of detergents, pharmaceuticals, dyes for textiles and a wide range of man-made fibres would be virtually inconceivable without the use of sulfuric acid.
More of sulfuric acid
In chemistry, sulfuric acid is represented by the chemical formula H2SO4. In its original form, concentrated sulfuric acid is a colourless, viscous liquid with a molar mass of 98.079 g/mol, and its standard density is 1.83 g/cm. Thus, sulfuric acid is highly soluble in water and can also be used as a dilutant acid for industrial applications. With a pKs value of -3 for diluted sulfuric acid, it is nevertheless one of the strong acids. Its low pH value of 2.75 is also one of the characteristic indicators of strong acids. The boiling point of the chemical is +337 °C, and the melting point is reached at +10.31 °C.
However, concentrated sulfuric acid has some other characteristics that make it particularly useful in modern industry. For example, it is a strong oxidizing agent and immediately chars organic materials, such as wood. In addition, sulfuric acid is hygroscopic, meaning that it removes water from the air. When diluted with water, it also conducts electricity, which is an advantage in many industrial applications. Contact with clothing or skin, however, can cause severe damage and chemical burns and should therefore be urgently avoided. Due to its many effective properties, sulfuric acid is one of the 20 most important chemicals in industry worldwide.
