Hydrochloric Acid (HCl)

Hydrochloric acid is a strong, highly corrosive inorganic acid widely used in various industrial, laboratory, and commercial applications. It is an aqueous solution of hydrogen chloride gas, known for its strong acidic properties, high reactivity, and versatility.



Applications

Industrial Applications

  1. Metal Processing:
    • Pickling of steel and other metals to remove oxides and scale.
    • Refining and electroplating processes.
  2. Chemical Manufacturing:
    • Production of chlorides, fertilizers, and dyes.
    • Catalyst in organic synthesis, including the production of vinyl chloride (used in PVC).

Water Treatment

  • pH adjustment in wastewater treatment plants.
  • Neutralization of alkaline solutions.

Food and Beverage

  • Used in the production of food-grade phosphates and as an acidifier.
  • Cleaning agent for equipment in food processing facilities (requires food-grade HCl).

Oil and Gas Industry

  • Acidizing of oil wells to enhance extraction by dissolving carbonate rocks.

Cleaning Products

  1. Descaling:
    • Removes lime and rust deposits in boilers, heat exchangers, and plumbing systems.
  2. Household Use:
    • Found in commercial toilet bowl cleaners and heavy-duty cleaning products.

Laboratory Applications

  • Standard reagent for titrations in analytical chemistry.

 

CAS Number

7647-01-0

Molecular Formula

HCl

Molecular Weight

36.46 g/mol

Appearance

Clear, colorless to slightly yellow liquid

Odor

Pungent, sharp odor

Density

1.18 g/cm³

Boiling Point

Approximately 110°C

Freezing Point

-27°C

pH

<1 (Strongly Acidic)

Solubility

Miscible with water, exothermic reaction during dilution

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