Description
Sulfuric acid (H2SO4) is a strong chemical acid with a characteristic odor of sulfur dioxide. It is a colorless or slightly gray, opalescent, viscous liquid. It is very soluble in water. When dissolving sulfuric acid in water, a large amount of heat is released as it is an exothermic reaction.
Due to its strong chemical properties, sulfuric acid is used in many industries and in agriculture and horticulture:
– Battery production: Used as an electrolyte, enabling the flow of current between electrodes in batteries.
– Petrochemical industry: Used to neutralize and remove contaminants in the production of oils, greases, kerosene and paraffin.
– Fertilizer industry: Sulfuric acid is a component of calcium fertilizers, superphosphates and ammonium phosphate and sulfate, improving soil quality and plant growth.
– Mining and metallurgy: Used in copper ore enrichment.
– Detergent industry: Used in the production of detergents, such as sodium lauryl sulfate.
– Cosmetics industry: Used in the production of raw materials, hydrogen peroxide, and fragrances.
– Production of other acids: Sulfuric acid is used in the production of hydrochloric, nitric, and phosphoric acids.
– Horticulture: Used to acidify water used in gardening and to prepare plant food.
– Paper industry: Used to bleach paper.
– Textile industry: As a wool bleaching agent.
