properties in acids make them important for use in industry ACIDS IN INDUSTRY properties in acids make them important for use in industry

SULFERIC ACID Most commonly used industrial chemical More than 37 million metric tons of it produced in the US per year Attracts water/sugars/organic compounds; causes serious burns when touched USED FOR: Petroleum refining, metallurgy, manufacture of fertilizers, production of metals, paper, paint, dyes, detergents, automobile batteries.

NITRIC ACID Very unstable, volatile liquid; has a horrible smell, stains skin, can cause serious burns In its natural form is a yellow colored liquid USED FOR: Making explosives, rubber, plastic, dyes, pharmaceuticals

PHOSPHORIC ACID Phosphorus is essential for plants and animals to live Diluted phosphorus acid has a sour taste and is not at all toxic USED FOR Manufacturing fertilizers/animal feed, beverage flavoring, cleaning agent for dairy equipment, manufacturing detergents/ceramics

HYDROCHLORIC ACID Produced naturally in human stomachs to help digestion Concentrated solutions of HCl (Muriatic Acid) is available in hardware stores; used to maintain acidity in swimming pools USED FOR “pickling” metals (the immersion of metals in acid to remove surface impurities), a general cleaning agent, food processing, activation of oil wells, recovery of magnesium from sea water, production of other chemicals

ACETIC ACID Pure acetic acid is a clear, strong smelling liquid also known as Glacial Acetic Acid USED FOR: Synthesizing chemicals used in manufacture of plastics, a raw material in producing food supplements (ex/ lysine, an amino acid), a fungicide by Sally Zehm