Neutralizing an acidic or caustic material during spill cleanup makes the material safer to handle and dramatically reduces disposal costs. Strong acids and bases can be very corrosive to many materials, including skin. How do you know if something is a strong acid or base? The best way to measure this is to take the pH of the solution using pH paper, chemical indicators, or pH meters. Chemicals with a pH of 7 are considered neutral acids and typically have a pH less than 7. To neutralize them, use a weak base. There are two types of acids: mineral (inorganic) acids—such as sulfuric, hydrochloric, or nitric—and carboxylic (organic) acids such as formic or acetic.
Bases, also called alkaline compounds, have a pH greater than 7. Use a weak acid to neutralize bases. Examples include sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, and ammonia. Many different products aid in the neutralization of acids and bases. They can be as simple as a bag of citric acid or sodium sesquicarbonate, or as complex as a solidifier and neutralizer combined. The acid and base react during neutralization, forming water and a salt. If the acid and base are both very strong (such as concentrated hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide), a violent reaction will occur. That’s why most neutralizers are very weak: to slow the reaction. Even with neutralization products, heat and gas will often evolve. Take proper precautions as recommended by the neutralizer’s manufacturer. Diethylene glycol butyl ether
Related Article: Hazardous Spill Protection
Most neutralizers give an estimated amount of acid/base that they’ll neutralize. It usually takes large amounts to neutralize an acid or base, especially if it’s concentrated. Some neutralizers have a built-in color indicator to signal when the spill is neutral. Others require you to check the pH until it’s neutral. Some neutralizers also solidify the spill as they neutralize to make cleanup easier.
Amine © 2023 Lab Manager. All rights reserved.