sulfuric acid cloudy

[Labbie]

When I last used our sulfuric acid, it was cloudy. It was a cool morning, would that have something to do with why it is cloudy???

[Labbie]

I can certainly get you on the right track with this question. It appears that the Sulfuric Acid has possibly become contaminated with Fe(III) compound(s).

The Iron III will cause the Acid to become cloudy. This maybe due to direct contamination from use, or from the manufacturing process where it is manufactured and kept in stainless steel storage facilities. The Stainless Steel contains Fe and this can leech out into the acid.

I hope this has lifted the cloud on your mysterious cloudy Sulfuric Acid.

Cheers,

Robb.....

Robb sent this to me by PM, but thought perhaps chemtalk may like to know.

[rae]

Is it still OK to use ??

[Labbie]

You can keep using this but I would treat this as a contaminated Substance.

Do not take this for face value, which means I would not use this to make up diluted acids as the concentration now has been compromised.

Cheers,

Robb.....

_________________
Dr Robert Crosdale. MRACI. NSS. NSSA.
Ph.D (Chem), M.Sc, B.Sc, Dip. Appl. Sc. (Chem)
Lake Munmorah High School.
University of New England.

To understand the Universe from our perspective, we need to look towards our own backyard first for answer