Muriatic Acid Uses

Muriatic acid uses are many in the industrial sector. It is mainly used in the chemical industry as a chemical reagent. Lets read on further to know more about muriatic acid and its uses.

Hydrochloric acid was previously known as muriatic acid. It is actually hydrogen chloride mixed in water. Hydrochloric acid is produced from common salt and sulphuric acid. Muriatic acid is highly corrosive and caustic in nature. Muriatic acid was first produced in the eight century. It, however, became famous, in the middle ages as muriatic acid was used to find the “philosopher’s stone”. In later years, the usage of hydrochloric acid was also made by European scientists. Among the muriatic acid uses, the main use is for the production of vinyl chloride. Vinyl chloride is used to manufacture PVC plastic. Lets read in detail about the many uses of muriatic acid.

Uses of Muriatic Acid

Along with the large scale uses of muriatic acid, there are many small scale muriatic acid uses too. Muriatic acid is a very strong inorganic acid and its application often determines the quality of product that is required.

• Household Cleaning: Muriatic acid is one of the main ingredients used to manufacture household cleaning detergents, especially in the United Kingdom, where it is known as the “Spirits of Salt”. Read more on household cleaning tips.
• Gelatin: Muriatic acid is one of the constituents required for the manufacture of gelatine.
• Leather Processing: Muriatic acid is also used in the leather industry. It is used to process raw leather.
• Steel Pickling: Muriatic acid is used to remove rust from iron or steel before it is processed further.
• Water Treatment Chemicals: Using acid base reactions, hydrochloric acid is used to produce water treatment chemicals. The chemical is used as a coagulation agent in treating sewage water and converting it into drinking water. Here is more information on waste water treatment.
• Producing Paper: Muriatic acid is used in the paper industry as well.
• Electroplating Compounds: Muriatic acid is also used to make compounds required in the electroplating industry.
• Galvanizing Industry: Similar to the electroplating industry, muriatic acid is also used by galvanizing plants.
• Production of Batteries: The acid used in batteries, contain muriatic acid.
• Balancing the pH: To maintain the purity in industries such as food products and pharmaceuticals, muriatic acid is used to maintain the pH balance of water.
• Neutralizing Water: In some industries use of muriatic acid is made to neutralize water, which is then used to produce different kinds of products.
• Cleaning Swimming Pools: Like the use of muriatic acid to clean water in industries, it is also used in the cleaning and treating of swimming pools.
• Construction Industry: Muriatic acid is widely used in the construction industry as well.
• Stimulant in Oil Production: Muriatic acid is used as a stimulant in oil production. It is injected into the rock formation of an oil well. This results in dissolving a portion of a rock and creating a large pore like structure. This is a common procedure, which is used in the North Sea oil production industry.
• Food Industry: As previously mentioned, the use of hydrochloric acid is common in the food industry. It is used to produce citric acid, fructose and vegetable protein.
• Pearl Industry: Pearl industry also makes use of muriatic acid to expose the exterior shell or the inside of the pearl.
• Cleaning Outdoor Pavement: Muriatic acid is often used to clean the outdoor pavement. Concrete and other materials which do not allow paint to stick to them, are cleaned using muriatic acid. However, I would suggest you use it as the last resort to clean your concrete or cement outdoor pavement or your home tiling. For more information, you can also refer to cleaning porcelain floor tiles.

Read more on:

• Cleaning ceramic tile floors – How to clean ceramic tiles

When you are using muriatic acid it is important that you take extreme precaution that it does not spill into your eyes or any where on you, as it can burn your skin or your eyes. Vapors emitted from muriatic acid can cause irritation on the respiratory tract. It is a caustic chemical, therefore, it is advisable to wear protective gear, while you make use of it. Try and see to it that you do not keep any part of your skin exposed to prevent any sort of contact or contamination. I hope along with the muriatic acid uses, you will also pay attention to yourself, when using it.