21 Hydrogen Chloride Uses : Facts You Should Know!

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Hydrogen chloride (HCl) is an inorganic acid. Its aqueous solution is known as muriatic acid. Let us have a look at the various uses of Hydrogen chloride (HCl).

Let us have a look at the various uses of Hydrogen chloride (HCl).

  • Laboratory Synthesis and Processes
  • Industrial Processing
  • Metallurgical Processes
  • Waste-water Treatment
  • Food Processing
  • Organic Synthesis
  • Purification Processes

Let us discuss the application of Hydrogen Chloride in a wide range of sectors in detail in this article.

Laboratory Synthesis and Processes

  • Hydrogen chloride is an important laboratory reagent which is used for the synthesis of many chemicals. It is an important reagent for the preparation of sulphuric acid.
  • One of the important use of hydrogen chloride is, in the preparation of chlorine, chlorides and aqua-regia, Aqua regia is prepared by mixing a concentrated solution of nitric acid and concentrated hydrochloric acid in a ratio of 1:3. Aqua-regia is used for cleaning and in jewellery making.
  • Hydrochloric acid is utilized in the synthesis of bleaching powder, as bleaching powder is a mixed salt of hydrochloric acid and hypochlorous acid.
  • HCl is used in acid-base titrations to determine the number of bases.
  • In the production of glucose, corn sugar from starch and in the refining of sugar,HCl plays an important role.

Industrial Processing

  • HCl is widely used for the manufacturing of fertilizers, and dyes. It is also used in photography, galvanization and in electroplating as well in the rubber and textile industries.
  • Hydrogen chloride is utilized in tin plating for cleaning iron sheets.
  • As HCl is highly corrosive in nature so, it is used to remove rust or stains from metals such as iron, copper, and other corrosive metals.
  • A diluted form of hydrochloric acid is widely used for cleaning tiles in kitchens and bathrooms and it is also used as a disinfectant.
  • It is used as a Tuberculocide, Sanitizer, Virucide, Microbicide and Fungicide.
  • One of the important uses of hydrochloric acid is in de-scaling kettles and cleaning mortar off brickwork. 
  • In batteries: Hydrochloric acid is a strong acid which dissociates into ions to yield hydrogen ions which act as charge carriers in the battery.
  • For the production of Photoflash bulbs and fireworks, HCl is used.

Metallurgical Processes

  • Hydrogen chloride find application in the extraction of glue from animal tissues and bones.
  • It is used in the extraction of oil to remove gangue and to acidify a well to remove carbonate or limestones from the rocks. When it is combined with other chemicals, then it is used to dissolve sand, quartz and clay from rocks.

Waste-water Treatment

  • A high-quality hydrochloric acid (HCl) is used in the regeneration of ion exchange resins i.e., to remove the permanent hardness of water as well as to control the pH of processed water streams.
  • Chemicals like iron(III) chloride, poly aluminium chloride (PAC) and aluminium carbohydrate are used as water treatment chemicals, which are prepared by the use of HCl. 

Food Processing

Some chemical products of hydrochloric acid are used in the production of food additives, food ingredients, and in food.

Organic Synthesis

  • Diluted HCl is worked as a catalyst in organic synthesis and in the production of glasses.
  • An important application of HCl is in the manufacturing of vinyl chloride, PVC and dichloromethane for plastics or bisphenol A.

Purification Processes

Hydrochloric acid is used in the purification of table salts. HCl is added to sodium chloride, it triggers a purification process that results in safe, useable table salt.

Conclusion

Hydrochloric acid in diluted and in concentrated forms is widely used for many purposes. The most frequent use of concentrated HCl in the dissolution of geological samples. Dilute HCl acts as a weak reducing agent. It is used in the preservation of fish i.e, to prevent the rotting process.