17 Sulphuric Acid Uses: Facts You Should Know!

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Sulphuric acid (H2SO4) is a highly reactive chemical. It is an essential reagent in industry, especially in metallurgy. Let us study some facts about such an acid.

  • Fertilizer industry is the largest user of H2SO4.
  • H2SO4 is a good oxidizing and dehydrating agent.
  • A solution of sulphuric acid is used in the harvesting of potato.
  • Sulphuric acid is used in synthesizing chemicals like HCl, HNO3, plastic, pigments, dyes etc.
  • In metal industry, H2SO4 is used for pickling iron and steel.
  • Sulphuric acid is also used to manufacture synthetic detergents.
  • H2SO4 is used as a solvent in pharmaceutical industry.
  • Sulphuric acid serves as an electrode in electrochemical reactions.
  • H2SO4 is used as a catalyst in the petroleum industry.
  • Sulphuric acid is also essentially used in waste water processing.

Sulphuric acid is soluble in water at all concentrations. Depending on the concentration and application, it is called chamber acid, tower acid, battery acid etc. The uses of dilute sulphuric acid are discussed in this article.

Dilute Sulphuric acid uses

Dilute sulphuric acid is a colorless, odorless mineral acid. It has a high molar concentration of hydrogen ions. Unlike concentrated sulphuric acid, it is used as a hydrating agent. Other important uses of dil. H2SO4 are:

  • In the fertilizer industry, dil. H2SO4 is used in the synthesis of superphosphate and ammonium sulphate.
  • Dilute sulphuric acid is used in the precipitation of barium and calcium sulphates.
  • Dil. H2SO4 is used for manufacturing storage and galvanic batteries.
  • Dilute sulphuric acid is also used to prepare ether, starch, and sugar.
  • In the steel industry, dil. H2SO4 is used for pickling iron sheets.
  • Dil. H2SO4 is used in the hydration of alkenes to produce -OH derivatives.
  • Dilute sulphuric acid is also used in non-complementary redox titrations and as a lab reagent in acid-base titration.

Conclusion

Sulphuric acid, commonly known as oil of vitriol, is used for cleaning blocked drains and in sewage plants. As a strong acid, it is used in electroplating to remove metal oxides from their surfaces.