Purifying Sulfuric Acid Drain Cleaner | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

This video analyzes two main methods of concentrating and purifying sulfuric acid, with a focus on why 98% sulfuric acid is preferred over 93% and the potential dangers of working with sulfuric acid.

Key Insights

• 🍳 Sulfuric acid is commonly used as a drain cleaner due to its ability to break down organic material.
• 💦 Concentrated sulfuric acid is preferred for certain reactions that are sensitive to water.
• ❓ Distillation is considered the superior method for concentrating and purifying sulfuric acid.
• 💦 Sulfuric acid can be dangerous to work with and requires proper safety precautions.
• 💹 The concentration of sulfuric acid can be measured by determining its density and referencing it to a chart.
• ❓ 98% sulfuric acid is the most concentrated that can be obtained through these methods.
• 🤘 Inhibitors are added to drain cleaners to prevent corrosion of metal pipes.

Transcript

sulfuric acid is used as a drain cleaner because it's pretty good at breaking down organic material like hair and other things that might get caught in the drain the sulfuric acid-based drain cleaners can be sometimes hard to find but I actually managed to find it at quite a few stores unfortunately the drain cleaner sold in most stores is discolor... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: Why is 98% sulfuric acid preferred over 93%?

The higher concentration of sulfuric acid is required for certain reactions that are water-sensitive. The 93% sulfuric acid contains more water, which can affect the outcome of these reactions.

Q: Why can't sulfuric acid be concentrated to 100%?

At 98% concentration, sulfuric acid forms an azeotrope with water, meaning the ratio of water to sulfuric acid is the same in both liquid and vapor form. It is difficult to remove the remaining water to reach 100% concentration.

Q: What are the dangers of working with sulfuric acid?

Sulfuric acid is highly corrosive and can cause severe burns upon contact with skin. Working with boiling sulfuric acid requires caution and proper safety measures to prevent splashing and injuries.

Q: How can the concentration of sulfuric acid be measured?

The concentration can be determined by measuring the density of the acid and referencing it to a chart. However, slight density fluctuations and temperature changes can affect the accuracy of the measurement.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Sulfuric acid is used as a drain cleaner due to its ability to break down organic material. However, the drain cleaners sold in most stores are not concentrated enough.

• There are two main methods for concentrating sulfuric acid: adding hydrogen peroxide and boiling it or using distillation. The distillation method is considered superior.

• The concentration of sulfuric acid is important for certain reactions, as water in the acid can interfere. 98% sulfuric acid is considered the most concentrated.