Hydrochloric acid handling equipment

Neutralization Acidic or basic wastewaters must be neutrahzed prior to discharge. If an industry produces both acidic and basic wastes, these wastes may be mixed together at the proper rates to obtain neutral pH levels. Equahzation basins can be used as neutralization basins. When separate chemical neutralization is required, sodium hydroxide is the easiest base material to handle in a hquid form and can be used at various concentrations for in-line neutralization with a minimum of equipment. Yet, lime remains the most widely used base for acid neutr zation. Limestone is used when reaction rates are slow and considerable time is available for reaction. Siilfuric acid is the primary acid used to neutralize high-pH wastewaters unless calcium smfate might be precipitated as a resmt of the neutralization reaction. Hydrochloric acid can be used for neutrahzation of basic wastes if sulfuric acid is not acceptable. For very weak basic waste-waters carbon dioxide can be adequate for neutralization. 

The crude enamine is dissolved in 450 ml. of ether, and the solution is transferred to a 1-1. three-necked flask equipped with a sealed stirrer, a 250-ml. dropping funnel, and a two-necked adapter fitted with a calcium chloride tube and a thermometer immersed in the solution. A solution of 71-76 g. (0.85-0.90 mole) (Note 5) of methyl propiolate (Caution Methyl propiolate is a severe lachrymator and should he handled only in the hood.) in 150 ml. of ether is added dropwise. During the addition the temperature of the mixture is maintained at 25-30° by periodic cooling of the reaction flask in a dry ice-acetone bath. When the addition is almost complete, a white solid begins to separate. The mixture is stirred at 25-30° for an additional hour, cooled to 0°, and filtered to remove the solid. This is dissolved in 700 ml. of 6% hydrochloric acid (Note 6), the acidic solution is warmed at 55-60° for 1 hour, and the mixture is cooled and extracted with two 100-ml. portions of ether. The ether is removed on a steam bath, and the residue of crude methyl 10-oxocyclodec-2-ene-l-carboxylate is dissolved in 300 ml. of methanol and hydrogenated over 5 g. of 5% palladium-on-alumina catalyst at 40 p.s.i. pressure and room temperature. 

These same types of compounds are also more resistant to many acids at high temperatures than natural rubber can handle. Neoprene should not be used in parts which are bonded to metal for hydrochloric acid service because acid migration can cause failures. For hydrochloric acid service ebonite lined mild steel equipment is the correct selection. Ebonites form rubber hydrochloride film in contact with natural rubber and this film is the protective layer against corrosion. 

The materials handled in the bins were 20% solids by weight, flow of 2.9 tons of water per hour and 47 gallons/minute of pulp. The size of the material was 100 to plus 325 BSS mesh. Maximum acid concentration was 20% hydrochloric acid. The temperature in the system was 60°C. A 6 mm thick natural rubber lining of shore hardness 50°A was used to protect the equipment against the abrasive environment as well as the corrosion effects of hydrochloric acid. 

For zinc oxide at, for example, levels of 15 to 45 phr, good filler dispersion is essential for better dimensional stability in calendered sheets. Butyl sheets are used in storage tanks, digesters and other large equipment handling phosphoric acid, hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid very effectively in fertiliser and chlor-alkali plants. When high temperatures are encountered, carbon bricks or acid resistant bricks are lined over the rubber lining. 

Hydrochloric acid as a hydrolyzer and as a product of hydrolysis in the absence of alkali has been the source of much trouble as it is one of the most corrosive chemicals known. However, even at slightly elevated temperatures, completely dry hydrogen chloride gas has very little corrosive action and is easily handled in iron equipment. Nickel and Monel metal are fairly resistant to low hydrochloric acid concentrations. With dilute acid,. several of the copper-base alloys, si ch as phosphor bronze, aluminum bronze, manganese bronze, ahd Everdur metal, have fairly good... 

Any equipment handling hydrogen chloride gas must be checked on a routine basis particularly valve stems and regulators. The gas requires the use of specialized materials on all whetted parts of the flow path, as it will interact with or corrode numerous materials hydrochloric acid alone will not such as stainless and regular polymers. 

---