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Thread: Sulphuric acid

  1. #1
    Boolit Master
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    Sulphuric acid

    We need to dispose of some sulphuric acid (not at my house). Online, there are methods using baking soda, sugar, etc. I know, positively, that it's dangerous stuff to handle. Is this a DIY or should we call in the pros (if they exist). There's maybe three jars of the stuff.

  2. #2
    Boolit Bub
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    Where I live once a year they have a collection of house hold chemicals. You also might check with you city if they take it. Since it is an acid neutralizing it with a base would take care of it. It is only dangerous if not handles correctly.

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    I seem to recall from chem class (50 years in the past) that there is an order of mixing so if you do it be sure to read up on it. There are probably chemists on here that can enlighten you better the my old memories. Just be careful H2SO4 is strong stuff.

  4. #4
    Boolit Grand Master
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    Call your local fire department. They usually have hazmat trained folks to help out. Not all FD's are up to speed, but somebody will be.

  5. #5
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    are you talking battery acid or full strength sulphuric acid. you will find its next to imposable to find a recycler, maybe a junk yard would be able to take it.
    if you are ever being chased by a taxidermist, don't play dead

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    My County has a Household hazardous waste facility. Residents can bring in stuff for free disposal. They also have a free "re-use" room, where you can get stuff that other people brought in, after it's been checked out by trained County staff.

    If your county doesn't have such a program, and If this is good sulphuric acid, you might try a freebie ad in FB marketplace or Craigslist.
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  7. #7
    Boolit Master
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    A family member passed, and in the garage we found the jars of the acid. Why he had it, no one knows, though there have been guesses. I'll call the local fire dept or board of health this week.

  8. #8
    Boolit Master hc18flyer's Avatar
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    We buy it to counteract alkalinity in our irrigation water at our commercial greenhouse. We use a 5000 to 1 ratio of water to sulfuric acid. At that rate, it is safer than Pepsi! When mixing, you add acid into the water, for a minimal reaction. I would question what else is in your acid? Hopefully you can find a program to turn it in? Tom

  9. #9
    Boolit Master
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    Do you know anybody making biodiesel? H2SO4 is used in some of the process.
    QUIS CUSTODIET IPSOS CUSTODES?

  10. #10
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    1. How much are you talking about?
    One of my father's favorite statements: "If I say a chicken dips snuff, look under his wing for the snuffbox" How I was raised, who I am.

  11. #11
    Boolit Master BJK's Avatar
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    What strength is it (if it has a label)? Is it battery acid or thick like oil?

    Garden limestone neutralizes it and the products of the reaction are Calcium Sulfate, water, and CO2. Beyond that you're on your own. Making the call might be the best course of action.

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by Minerat View Post
    I seem to recall from chem class (50 years in the past) that there is an order of mixing so if you do it be sure to read up on it. There are probably chemists on here that can enlighten you better the my old memories. Just be careful H2SO4 is strong stuff.
    Mix it alphabetically: A(cid) into W(ater). It is an exothermic (heat producing) reaction. If you do it the other way, it will explode in your face. Wearing PPE (a face shield) is a good idea, but if you don't get in a hurry you will be OK.....charlie
    Last edited by charlie3tuna; 07-18-2021 at 11:24 AM.

  13. #13
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    Without knowing amount and strength and if you have a safe place to dilute it to it is hard to say . I have dumped have a bottle of strong sulfuric acid over limestone then washed the area with a hose when the bottle dropped and was damaged .
    When I think back on all the **** I learned in high school it's a wonder I can think at all ! And then my lack of education hasn't hurt me none I can read the writing on the wall.

  14. #14
    Boolit Master
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    We're not sure what exactly it is, other than "acid". Family lore says he was making batteries, which is why it's thought to be sulphuric acid. We're waiting for the FD to call us back.

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    First don’t get scared. Humans have been working with strong acids for hundreds of years, if not more. You just need to take some precautions with it. The cardinal rule is to add the acid to water and definitely not vis-à-vis. How much do you have? If it’s less than a gallon you can probably dispose of it yourself as long as you have a piece of land. If you live in a city it becomes more difficult. Lime is a great neutralizer of acids. Dig a hole in the ground where you can start adding a little of each at a time. A face shield is a good idea to be safe. Stay upwind from the fumes and don’t breathe them. When all is added together, stir a bit, wait an hour, cover it up and forget about it. Anything that hasn’t reacted, will with time in the soil.

    I’m sure this is not per EPA guidelines, but do what you want.

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    Check to see if you have someone in your area who makes batteries. They would most likely take it off your hands. I used sulfuric acid and muriactic acid in my shop for years. I always kept a large box of baking soda to dump on spills.
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  17. #17
    Boolit Master Skipper's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by charlie3tuna View Post
    Mix it alphabetically: A(cid) into W(ater). It is an exothermic (heat producing) reaction. If you do it the other way, it will explode in your face. Wearing PPE (a face shield) is a good idea, but if you don't get in a hurry you will be OK.....charlie
    Or, remember AAA
    Always
    Add
    Acid
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  18. #18
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    I wonder if it would kill duckweed in a stock pond?
    Things that make you go hmm.

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  19. #19
    Boolit Buddy Big Tom's Avatar
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    It's one of the ingredients for nitroglycerin. If you also find potassium nitrate or nitric acid, be careful with the rest that you don't know what it is

    Quote Originally Posted by Battis View Post
    A family member passed, and in the garage we found the jars of the acid. Why he had it, no one knows, though there have been guesses. I'll call the local fire dept or board of health this week.
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  20. #20
    Boolit Master
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    Well, things took a different turn. We went down to the "estate" after calling the local Fire Dept. They sent a Captain over, then another Captain. They examined the four glass jars and discovered they weren't filled with sulphuric acid as the family believed - they were actually car batteries from the early 1900s (teens to 20s). I don't have the info with me but apparently they're pretty collectable.
    Well, I'll be...

    Here's an example:
    https://www.ebay.com/itm/113798945264
    Last edited by Battis; 07-18-2021 at 07:22 PM.

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