What are Common Uses for Hydrochloric Acid?
Hydrochloric Acid or “HCL”, or commonly known as muriatic acid, is used in a wide range of industrial and commercial applications. For people who work in industries where this chemical is used, it is important to understand the common uses for hydrochloric acid chemical formula, what purposes it serves, and what you need to know to handle it safely and responsibly.
Hydrochloric acid is the liquid version of hydrogen chloride, an acidic gas. It occurs naturally and is also commercially manufactured. Although it can be a corrosive and dangerous liquid, HCL is naturally-occurring within our own bodies. The chemical is used in our digestive system, regulated by mucous in our stomach lining as well as the hormone secretin. In its liquid form, HCL is corrosive and produces a pungent, irritating odor. The National Fire Protection Association Hazard Identification System categorizes industrial substances based on various risk factors and ranks each area of risk from 0-4.
Anyone who interacts with hydrochloric acid chemical formula should be aware of these factors because proper protection and containment are vitally important. Keep in mind that proper procedures for handling hydrochloric acid vary from industry to industry, but there are always best industry practices to follow. Hydrochloric acid is one of the substances used in the leather tanning process.
Tanneries use HCL to stop the development of bacteria and maintain the proper pH level of leather. This is an important step in maintaining water safety. Essentially, HCL contributes to the process of removing ionized particles from water. Anyone who has purchased deionized water has benefited from the HCL’s role in the ion exchange process. In addition to treating drinking water, HCL is used to produce the inorganic compounds that are used in the processing of our wastewater.
HCL is used in the fracking process and in many gases and oil extraction processes to acidify a well to remove carbonate reservoirs, or limestones, from the rock or combined with other materials to dissolve quartz, sand and clay from rocks. Other additives can be introduced to the well to prevent the acid from breaking down steel casings. Several additives used in the food industry include HCL in the development process. These include fructose, citric acid, and hydrolyzed vegetable protein.
This list demonstrates that HCL can be used for a wide range of purposes that most people would not ever consider. Many of these uses are pretty benign, even though hydrochloric acid chemical formula itself sounds intimidating. The most important thing is that proper procedures are in place to use HCL in each of these processes.
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