Looking for an acid supplier

[Oompa LumpaParticipant @oompalumpa34302]

Yes, you could read a lot into that, I just knew this was going to be a bad idea;-(

I have started, so i'll finish

Anyhow, all joking aside, I am looking for a couple of litres of 20% (or threabouts) of sulphuric acid for my new and about to start anodizing project.

I was on a roll last week and had ordered up 25litres of Hydrochloric and 5litres of sulphuric and everything was going great with a pro-forma and everything. Until the final phone call – how are you going to transport it? And as I have no vehicle with a complete and separate compartment for transporting the acid Not that I was really concerned about this as the screening and shielding is quite substantial in the vehicle and it isn't beyond the wit of man to double secure the container and fasten it down securely.

So back to the drawing board. Anywhere near Manchester or Birmingham would be good.

(if this is in the wrong section I am sorry but as you can see, I was struggling for a sub forum)

graham.

[Oompa LumpaParticipant @oompalumpa34302]

[speelwerkParticipant @speelwerk]

As far as I know battery acid is 37.5% sulphuric acid, you just have to dilute a little more. Niko.

[John BaguleyParticipant @johnbaguley78655]

One Shot drain cleaner from B&Q etc. is 90% sulphuric acid. Easy to get and just dilute it to the strength required.

John

[Keith LongParticipant @keithlong89920]

Graham

You could try "ReAgent" (that's how they spell it) in Runcorn, phone number 0800 990 3258. They deliver according to their website (http://www.reagent.co.uk). Don't know how their prices compare to anyone else and I've never dealt with them, but did turn up their name when I was looking to see if some chemicals I was interested in were available.

Keith

[Robin GrahamParticipant @robingraham42208]

APC Pure in Audenshaw is another source – I have bought from them (delivered) and had no problems with red tape. Cheaper than ReAgent.

Regards, Bob.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by John Baguley on 18/01/2014 22:14:02:

One Shot drain cleaner from B&Q etc. is 90% sulphuric acid. Easy to get and just dilute it to the strength required.

John

.

John,

I was about to say that surely you must be mistaken.

But … I have just found the MSDS for the product !!

I really cannot understand how, under the current Health & Safety regime, the likes of B&Q and Tesco are allowed to sell this to domestic customers. … The mind boggles !!

MichaelG.

.

Edit:  Deleted reference to Tesco.

 

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 19/01/2014 05:45:37

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Michael Gilligan on 19/01/2014 05:38:21:

… The mind boggles !!

.

… and if you need to see why:

Just look at the "Fequently Bought Together" list on Amazon's page.

MichaelG.

[michael howarth 1Participant @michaelhowarth1]

People are allowed to buy cars as well and look at the carnage and death that people cause with them.

Mick

[Barnaby WildeParticipant @barnabywilde70941]

I bought my acid & distilled water in bulk from a specialist battery supplier, County Batteries in Kirkby In Ashfield.

Either use Google for your nearest supplier or ask at a local fork truck service / supplier Co'. You're looking for the sort of wholesale supplier that stocks traction batteries for forklifts, powered access machines etc.

I still have a few galls left if you're interested, Notts Derbys border !

This was 3yrs ago & they were happy to supply knowing that it was being used for home anodising, they may have clamped down on the regs recently though it's always worth asking.

[Rufus RoughcutParticipant @rufusroughcut]

Hi Gents

Just as info, I've worked with these acids in my former life and it's true to say they become more corrosive to metals when diluted and the real safety issue is what you do when you spill it, and especially on you or the unaware, good ventilation, PPE and storage are the key.

will you be using corrosion inhibitors

Barry

[Oompa LumpaParticipant @oompalumpa34302]

Posted by Robin Graham on 19/01/2014 01:15:23:

APC Pure in Audenshaw is another source – I have bought from them (delivered) and had no problems with red tape. Cheaper than ReAgent.

Regards, Bob.

Thanks Bob, I go through Audenshaw regularly so I will see if I can collect.

And thank you everyone else for your help.

While I am at it I will get a load of copper sulphate for the paths and patio, really quite reasonably priced.

graham.

[michael howarth 1Participant @michaelhowarth1]

Graham…..what strength solution for paths and patios? Anything adverse to watch out for?

Mick

[Douglas JohnstonParticipant @douglasjohnston98463]

I have been meaning to try anodising for some time and have a small supply of unused battery acid which must be at least 25 years old. Does sulphuric acid deteriorate over time or could this acid still be of use?

Doug

[Mike TeamanParticipant @miketeaman64279]

I remember seeing a guy get covered in battery acid from attempting to jump start a lorry and a spark ignited fumes in the battery. He washed off his hands and face in water but his overalls literally fell in pieces over the next few minutes, until he was left standing in his Y fronts and shreds of what was left. Be warned!

[Oompa LumpaParticipant @oompalumpa34302]

Posted by mick H on 19/01/2014 13:02:26:

Graham…..what strength solution for paths and patios? Anything adverse to watch out for?

Mick

Hi Mick, I have over a hundred trees in my garden so although they are very beautiful they have their own set of problems (apart from the leaves from the deciduous ones every Autumn) and the flagstones in places can become quite slippery.

What I have done for the past couple of years is wait for a couple of days dry spell and mix up a solution of copper sulphate in one of the sprayers. I mix it 100 grams to the gallon and this has really helped to cut down on the proliferation of "green slime" on much of the paths.

I also use it on the Conservatory roof and spray all the gutters while I am at it, it seems that once dry it clings to the sandstone and leeches out slowly. So far I have had no problems with anything but I don't spray it around will nilly. It would do quite a bit of damage to a rockery I would imagine. Like most things, bit of common sense.

graham.

graham.

[Oompa LumpaParticipant @oompalumpa34302]

Posted by Mike Teaman on 19/01/2014 16:11:14:

I remember seeing a guy get covered in battery acid from attempting to jump start a lorry and a spark ignited fumes in the battery.

It isn't "fumes" – it's Hydrogen Gas.

[John BaguleyParticipant @johnbaguley78655]

Posted by Michael Gilligan on 19/01/2014 05:38:21:

I really cannot understand how, under the current Health & Safety regime, the likes of B&Q are allowed to sell this to domestic customers. … The mind boggles !!

MichaelG.

Michael,

I'm pretty surprised myself. It's pretty nasty stuff at that concentration if you don't know what you are doing. I'm even more surprised that you can have it delivered.

The last lot of pure sulphuric acid I bought (still use it for pickling) was from a company selling all sorts of chemicals on the internet and that came via DHL (I think) wrapped in only a plastic bag and rattling around in a cardboard box! That was a good few years ago now and the company disappeared shortly after.

John

Edited By John Baguley on 19/01/2014 18:07:44

Edited By John Baguley on 19/01/2014 18:08:08

[Jerry WrayParticipant @jerrywray14030]

Sorry Oompa Lumpa,

but it's hydrochloric acid gas. (fumes)

Hydrogen Chloride (HCl) is a colourless gas with an irritating pungent odour detectable at ~0.8 ppm. It is very soluble in water (673 g L^-1 at 30°C) (Gangolli, 1999)

And from US NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards,

Synonyms & Trade Names

Anhydrous hydrogen chloride; Aqueous hydrogen chloride (i.e., Hydrochloric acid, Muriatic acid) [Note: Often used in an aqueous solution.]

CAS No: 7647-01-0

I suggest users and potential users look at the UK Health Protection Agency reference at:

**LINK**

JerryNotts

[Oompa LumpaParticipant @oompalumpa34302]

Posted by Jerry Wray on 19/01/2014 19:21:48:

Sorry Oompa Lumpa,

but it's hydrochloric acid gas. (fumes)

Hydrogen Chloride (HCl) is a colourless gas with an irritating pungent odour detectable at ~0.8 ppm. It is very soluble in water (673 g L^-1 at 30°C) (Gangolli, 1999)

And from US NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards,

I stand corrected Jerry. I didn't know they had batteries with Hydrochloric acid in them.

graham.

[jason udallParticipant @jasonudall57142]

Sorry jerry..I’m with oompa..lead acid batteries. .out gas hydrogen and a less than stoichiometric ratio of oxygen (certain amount of recombination goes on at plate)..and the acid. used is sulfuric..H2SO4….you only get HCl out of batteries if you let salt get in there ( ask any diesel electric submariner)

Another clue..bad lead acid batteries are definitely suffering with sulphur ( aparrently sulphur is spelt sulfur now…who knew)

Edited By jason udall on 19/01/2014 19:45:28

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

1/ I think the drain and patio and brick cleaners in B&Q are all hydrochloric acid and at a pretty big dilution. It is so easy for the suppliers to make an extra buck by adding water they do over and again until it ony just works.

2/ car batteries use sulphuric acid not hydrochloric acid. The 'fumes' that might be produced during a jump start are the result of fast charging of the flat battery producing hydrogen and oxygen that could be ignighted by a spark.

[Oompa LumpaParticipant @oompalumpa34302]

For the avoidance of doubt, my comment was very much tongue in cheek. Ask the survivors of the Hindenberg. Oh, there weren't any!

Jerry, I have no clue where you get the idea that Hydrochloric acid was involved in the battery explosion. I have had many years experience of Automotive Traction batteries (not in Fork Trucks either) and I have had my fair share of near misses and bad burns, not just from acid, you trip and get a 13mm combi spanner, clutched firmly in your hand, complete the circuit. You let go pretty fast, but never quick enough.

It is defnately Hydrogen gas given off by charging or (worse) "boosting".

Edited By Oompa Lumpa on 19/01/2014 19:55:07

Edited By Oompa Lumpa on 19/01/2014 19:55:35

[jason udallParticipant @jasonudall57142]

And btw

Any old acid +any metal= metal salt+ hydrogen…
( reaction rates vary as does solubility of salt..in itself obstructing further reaction)…..

As to hindenberg..I think there were a few survivors. .and that was the slowest aircrash I can think of

Post 1000 if that means anything…

Edited By jason udall on 19/01/2014 20:01:41

[GaryMParticipant @garym]

Posted by Oompa Lumpa on 19/01/2014 17:42:32

Hi Mick, I have over a hundred trees in my garden ….

That's not a garden Graham, that's an estate.

Gary

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