Hydrochloric Acid HCL

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Hydrochloric Acid HCL is a highly corrosive, strong mineral acid consisting of hydrogen chloride gas dissolved in water to a concentration of approximately 33% by weight. It appears as a clear, colorless to slightly yellow liquid with a sharp, pungent odor. HCl 33% is widely used in industrial, chemical, and laboratory applications due to its strong acidic properties, high reactivity, and versatility. It plays a crucial role in pH control, metal processing, chemical synthesis, and cleaning processes across numerous sectors.

Description

Hydrochloric Acid HCL

Primary Uses

  1. Chemical Industry
  • Used as a key reagent in the production of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) for PVC manufacturing.
  • Serves as a catalyst and reactant in numerous organic and inorganic synthesis processes.
  • Employed for pH adjustment and acidification in chemical production.
  1. Metal Processing and Pickling
  • Widely used for metal pickling and cleaning to remove rust, scale, and oxides from steel and iron surfaces before further processing or coating.
  • Essential in ore processing and refining, especially for dissolving metal ores and recovering metals such as zinc and manganese.
  1. Water Treatment
  • Used to neutralize alkaline water in municipal and industrial water treatment plants.
  • Controls pH levels in swimming pools and cooling towers to prevent scale formation and microbial growth.
  1. Food Industry
  • Utilized as a food-grade acidulant and processing aid for adjusting pH in the production of gelatin, ascorbic acid, and corn syrup.
  • Used in cleaning and sanitization of food processing equipment under strict regulatory compliance.
  1. Oil and Gas Industry
  • Employed in acidizing operations to stimulate oil and gas wells by dissolving carbonate formations and enhancing permeability.
  1. Household and Industrial Cleaning
  • Active ingredient in many cleaning products for descaling, lime removal, and surface preparation.

 

Secondary Uses 

  1. Pharmaceutical Industry
  • Used in the synthesis of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and intermediates.
  1. Laboratory Applications
  • Used as a standard reagent for acid-base titrations and pH calibration.
  1. Leather Industry
  • Employed in leather processing for pH control and tanning operations.
KEY ATTRIBUTES
  1. Basic Identification Attributes

  • Chemical Name (IUPAC): Hydrochloric Acid
  • Common/Trade Name: Hydrochloric Acid 33%
  • CAS Number: 7647-01-0
  • HS Code: 2806.10.00
  • Molecular Formula: HCl (aqueous solution)
  • Synonyms: Muriatic Acid; Hydrogen Chloride (aqueous)
  1. Physical & Chemical Properties

  • Physical State: Liquid
  • Color & Odor: Clear, colorless to pale yellow; pungent, irritating odor
  • Boiling Point: Approx. 110°C (for 33% solution)
  • Density: ~1.16 g/cm³ at 20°C
  • Solubility: Completely miscible with water
  • pH: Strongly acidic (typically <1 for 33% solution)
  • Stability: Stable under normal storage; reacts violently with bases and oxidizers
  1. Safety & Hazard Attributes

  • GHS Classification: Skin Corrosion 1B, Eye Damage 1, Acute Toxicity (Oral, Inhalation)
  • Toxicity: Corrosive and highly irritant to skin, eyes, and respiratory tract
  • Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL 5 ppm (7 mg/m³) ceiling limit
  1. Storage & Handling Attributes

  • Container Type: Corrosion-resistant containers such as HDPE or glass-lined steel drums
  • Storage Conditions: Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from incompatible materials like bases and oxidizers
  • Shelf Life: Indefinite if stored properly in sealed containers
  • Handling Notes: Use corrosion-resistant equipment and PPE; avoid inhalation of vapors
  1. Regulatory & Compliance Attributes

  • Approved for use in food processing as a processing aid under strict limits (food-grade HCl)
  • Complies with FDA, REACH, and other global chemical safety regulations
  • Subject to transportation regulations for corrosive substances
  1. Environmental & Health Impact

  • Biodegradability: Not applicable; neutralized quickly in environment
  • Ecotoxicity: Harmful to aquatic life at high concentrations
  • Bioaccumulation: Not expected
  • Carcinogenicity/Mutagenicity: Not classified as carcinogenic
SAFETY HANDLING PRECAUTIONS
  1. Safety Handling Precautions
  • PPE Required: Acid-resistant gloves, face shield or goggles, acid-resistant apron, respirator if vapor exposure possible
  • Handling Guidelines: Use in well-ventilated areas or fume hoods; avoid direct contact and inhalation
  • Hygiene Practices: Wash hands thoroughly after use; do not eat, drink, or smoke while handling

 

  1. First Aid Measures
  • Inhalation: Move to fresh air immediately; provide artificial respiration if needed; seek medical attention promptly
  • Skin Contact: Rinse immediately with copious water for at least 15 minutes; remove contaminated clothing; seek urgent medical care
  • Eye Contact: Rinse eyes thoroughly with water for 15-20 minutes; seek immediate ophthalmologic consultation
  • Ingestion: Do NOT induce vomiting; rinse mouth; seek emergency medical help immediately

 

  1. Firefighting Measures
  • Fire Hazards: Non-flammable but can release toxic hydrogen chloride gas when heated or reacting with metals
  • Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, foam, dry chemical, or COâ‚‚ for surrounding fires
  • Special Precautions: Firefighters should wear self-contained breathing apparatus and acid-resistant clothing
  • Combustion Products: Hydrogen chloride gas and corrosive fumes