Applications of phosphoric acid

What is phosphoric acid?

Phosphoric acid is known as orthophosphoric acid, phosphoric acid solution, phosphoric acid and phosphoric acid. Its chemical formula is H ₃ PO ₄ . An acidic, odorless and colorless mineral substance containing phosphorus or phosphorus atom. Its molecular weight is 97.99 g/mol and its pH is equal to 1.5. Phosphoric acid is a weak acid and is less dangerous under normal conditions and for a short period of time.

Phosphoric acid is a family of carboxylic acids that has very weak acid properties. This acid is liquid and has no special color or smell. One of the unique features of phosphoric acid is that, unlike other acids, it dissolves in both water and ethanol. The chemical formula of this acid is H ₃ PO ₄ , according to this formula, phosphoric acid has three protons. In other words, it has three oxygen molecules; That is why it dissolves easily in water. Now, if we want to examine it in terms of acidity, we must say that phosphoric acid is less acidic than sulfuric acid and more acidic than acetic acid .
Today, phosphoric acid both in the industrial sector and in the food sector. is used

Purchase of phosphoric acid

 

Applications of phosphoric acid

Phosphoric acid is used in various industries. It is usually available in the market in two industrial and edible grades and with different purity percentages, in two liquid and solid states. In the following, we will learn about the applications of phosphoric acid in various industries:

1- The use of phosphoric acid in food

This chemical compound is a mineral acid that is used in edible grade. Edible phosphoric acid is the most common chemical additive to all kinds of food. There are different amounts of this acid in people’s daily food basket. The main purpose of adding this mineral acid to foods is to make them taste better. Consuming more than the permitted amount of phosphoric acid reduces the density of bone minerals; That is why nutritionists warn to be careful in consuming carbonated drinks and all kinds of cakes and cookies.

 

2- The use of edible phosphoric acid in beverages

One of the biggest uses of edible phosphoric acid is the production of soft drinks and colas. The main role of this mineral acid in drinks is to preserve their properties and help them taste better. The cool and pleasant taste of drinks is due to the presence of certain amounts of edible phosphoric acid in these products.

instead of edible phosphoric acid in soft drinks that are more transparent It is interesting to know that citric acid is used . The taste of cola in soft drinks is created by these two edible acids. In addition to cola drinks, this edible acid is used in many other types of beverages, such as sports drinks, packaged teas, and fruit-flavored beverages.

3- The use of phosphoric acid as a food flavoring

This substance gives the food a spicy taste. This material is mass produced. Manufacturers prefer to use phosphoric acid instead of natural flavors such as ginger or lemon citric acid and lime extract due to the cheap price and ease of mass production of this material. Phosphoric acid is used in the food industry as a flavoring and stabilizing properties. This acid is used in the production of pickles.

4- The use of ferric acid in the production of dairy food products

Salts of this edible acid are chemicals used in many dairy products. The purpose of adding this acid to dairy products is to increase shelf life, improve food texture, improve quality, and adjust pH. For example, adding phosphates to cheese, which are derivatives of phosphoric acid, creates a uniform and soft texture and increases its stability. We see these chemical compounds in milk, cream, cream cheese, coffee creamer, etc. The very soft texture and smooth surface that you see in all kinds of cheese and cream is due to the addition of edible phosphoric acid to these products.

5- The use of phosphoric acid in the production of cake powder and sweets

Phosphoric acid salts are a combination of baking soda that are used to produce all kinds of cake powder, cooking powder and ready-made doughs. Most likely, certain amounts of edible phosphoric acid are present in baked food products that have not been leavened with yeast. Special cooking powders are sold in special packages and in different weights.

6- The use of phosphoric acid in processed food products

Processed food products are a category of food to which edible phosphoric acid is added. Packaged breakfasts, beverages, flavored waters, bottled coffee, and processed meats are the most important food products produced using phosphoric acid. Mutton and chicken meat are processed with certain solutions of phosphoric acid salts in order to increase the amount of moisture in the meat tissue and preserve its original taste and properties. Usually, the details of additives to these products are included on their packages. Dicalcium phosphate, hexametaphosphate, sodium phosphate and tricalcium phosphate salts are examples of these materials.

7- Applications of phosphoric acid in the production of livestock and poultry feed

Phosphoric acid is also used as an additive and supplement in some types of animal and poultry feed, such as dicalcium phosphate. Phosphate salts derived from phosphoric acid are exactly the same basic chemicals that are used in the animal and poultry feed production industries. About 5% of global phosphorus production is dedicated to animal feed production industries.

8- Applications of phosphoric acid in the production of industrial cleaning materials

This substance is used to soften water. In hard water, there are calcium II and magnesium II ions, which form insoluble deposits if they remain in soap washing. These deposits cause stains on clothes during washing. Normally, phosphate salts produced from phosphoric acid are used as a builder in cleaners. Sodium tripolyphosphate binds with calcium II and magnesium II ions in solid detergents as a water softener. This link causes the production of a complex or total solution and prevents the reaction of these ions with soap, as a result, no sediment is created.

9- Applications of phosphoric acid in medicine, pharmacy and dentistry

Phosphoric acid is used in dentistry and orthodontics as a preparation agent for tooth enamel and dentin in order to clean and increase the friction of the tooth surface and as a brushing agent for cleaning and roughening the tooth surface, especially in places where dental tools and equipment have been used. They take. The combination of this acid and zinc powder is used to produce zinc sulfate, which is used as a filler in dentistry.

Among its other uses is to remove dental plaque in dentistry and in toothpastes that have whitening properties. as a catalyst in the production of aspirin due to its abundant hydrogen ion and less pollution compared to hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid In pharmaceuticals, this substance is used . Phosphoric acid is known as orthophosphoric acid in medicine, and its salt is orthophosphate, which is one of the main treatments for some types of kidney stones and is seen due to phosphate leakage from the kidney.

 

10-phosphoric acid in the agricultural industry

It is possible to produce all kinds of phosphate fertilizers such as monoammonium phosphate, diammonium phosphate, triple superphosphate, magnesium phosphate, NPK fertilizers, etc. by using the combination of phosphoric acid. By providing phosphorus element, phosphate fertilizers prepare the conditions for the cultivation of high-quality crops in agricultural lands. Organic phosphates, which are a class of derivatives of this acid, are used in the production of various insecticides and pesticides.

Most phosphoric acid is used in fertilizer production because phosphorus is one of the essential elements for plant growth. We know that organic phosphates are among the compounds that provide the necessary energy for most of the reactions that occur in living cells. As a result, soils enriched with phosphate fertilizers increase plant growth.

Also, increasing the concentration of phosphate on the surface of the water increases the growth of aquatic plants. The addition of chemical fertilizers can stimulate the growth of plants in the waters of lakes and rivers. Waste water, which contains phosphate, will have a similar effect.

Of course, due to the speed of accumulation in the water feed in the lakes, the fed aquatic plants will die after some time. These dead plants must consume oxygen dissolved in water to decompose. This causes the level of dissolved oxygen to decrease over time.

Today, phosphates are removed from detergents to reduce the threat of accumulation in lakes. In some cases, phosphates have been replaced by carbonates. In other words, new cleaners are prepared in such a way that they do not react with calcium and magnesium ions in hard water.

11-phosphoric acid in petrochemicals

Phosphoric acid is used as a catalyst in petrochemical industries. Phosphoric acid solutions are used to remove surface contamination from metals and steel, especially to remove iron rust.

This combination causes an iron phosphate salt to be created on the surface of the metal, which prevents metal corrosion. Phosphoric acid is used, directly, to remove rust from iron III oxide (which is present in iron or steel tools) and to convert iron into water-soluble phosphates. After removing iron rust, the produced iron phosphate turns into black iron phosphate compound.

12-phosphoric acid in the metallurgical industry

Chemical coatings are used to protect and maintain steel and aluminum surfaces. Phosphating solutions containing phosphoric acid and other special additives are used to protect steel vehicles, military ships, etc. In phosphating, improving the surface with warm and dilute solutions of this compound increases corrosion resistance.

13-phosphoric acid in water and wastewater treatment

Water and wastewater researchers are looking for a solution to optimize the process of wastewater treatment and drinking water supply. Each of the materials used in this field have different properties and are used for a special purpose.

The reason for choosing types of phosphates and industrial phosphoric acid for use in drinking water treatment plants and wastewater treatment systems is their effectiveness in reducing the risk of corrosion of pipes and connections, preventing lime deposits, controlling and regulating the pH of the environment and preventing red or brown It is becoming water. Water and wastewater treatment includes three main parts; These categories are: wastewater treatment, drinking water production and industrial water production (water used in different sectors of industry), some of the cases are explained below.

14-Industrial phosphoric acid in controlling the brown and red color of water

under oxygenation, aeration or chlorine In different stages of water and wastewater treatment , the water will change color addition processes. This factor occurs due to the precipitation of some metals such as iron in water; which leads to a change in the color of the water to red or reddish-brown. Industrial phosphoric acid and other phosphates can trap these metal ions and prevent water color change.

15-Industrial phosphoric acid to prevent corrosion of pipes and fittings

Hard water leads to the production of calcareous deposits in water and wastewater treatment systems. Over time, these sediments cause high costs for the repairs and maintenance of treatment plant equipment because the sediments can disable some devices. Adding magnesium and calcium polyphosphates as well as industrial phosphoric acid to the water solution prevents the formation of these lime deposits.

16-Industrial phosphoric acid in PH regulation water

The vital factor that is considered in water and wastewater treatment systems is water pH. The pH level can vary from 0 to 14, but it should be noted that the harmful ions in the treatment plant are active at what pH level. Industrial phosphoric acid and orthophosphates can regulate the PH level of water well.

17- As a lead precipitating reagent

The presence of lead in drinking water poses serious risks to humans and the environment. Therefore, adding amounts of industrial phosphoric acid to water is necessary to prevent lead deposition in pipes.

18-phosphoric acid in fire fighting

Another use of this acid is the production of flame retardants for firefighting purposes. This acid is used to fireproof some surfaces and flame retardant agents. Because phosphoric acid is non-flammable, it is used as a flame retardant in fire fighting. Of course, you have to be careful; Because this acid produces flammable hydrogen gas in the vicinity of metals.

19-phosphoric acid in electroplating industries

Phosphoric acid is used in electroplating industries; For example, anodizing in phosphoric acid electrolyte is used as a pre-plating step.

20-phosphoric acid in the production of sanitary materials and detergents

Phosphoric acid in the production of detergents such as sodium tripolyphosphate and sodium triphosphate is used . In addition, this acid is used to clean and scale metal surfaces. This acid is used in the preparation of cosmetics and self-care products. This acid is used as an acidity regulator in scrub masks, head and body shampoos, nail polish, hair color and facial cleansers.

21-phosphoric acid in fuel cells

This acid is also used as an electrolyte in fuel cells and it is also used to make synthetic detergents.

22-phosphoric acid as a catalyst and preparation of buffer solution

Phosphoric acid is used in research laboratories. Phosphoric acid is a weak acid and if dissolved, it can be converted into phosphate and phosphite ions. It acts as a catalyst in the production of some alcohols such as ethanol.

Salts derived from this acid are used to prepare buffer solutions or tampons. Buffer solutions consist of a weak acid and its salt or a weak base and its salt. Buffer solutions (tampons) are solutions that resist pH changes to some extent. That is, if a few drops of acid or base are added to it, the pH of these solutions will not change significantly.

Technical specifications of phosphoric acid

Safety tips for working with phosphoric acid

As its name suggests, phosphoric acid is a family of acids, and although it has very low acidity, if it comes into contact with the skin of hands and eyes, it will cause burns and serious injuries to the body. In some cases, it has been seen that the vapor caused by this acid can be suffocating. Therefore, it is better to use a filter mask, work gloves and protective glasses while working with acidic materials.

 

Production method of edible and industrial phosphoric acid

In general, phosphoric acid is prepared and produced in two completely different ways, wet and heat; that the purity percentage of phosphoric acid produced by heat or thermal method is much higher.

Wet production of phosphoric acid

In this method, it is produced by crushing apatite and combining it with sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid and calcium sulfate, which is actually gypsum. In fact, the phosphoric acid made in the wet method will have a concentration of 28% and to increase its concentration to 50%, a multi-stage evaporation process is used.

Production of phosphoric acid by thermal method

The thermal process is mostly used to produce edible phosphoric acid. In this method, phosphoric acid will be obtained from the combination, combustion and dusting of phosphorus, water and air. In this method, the materials are first combined, then they are exposed to combustion, which causes phosphorus to be oxidized, and finally, by hydrating water with oxidized phosphorus, dust removal is performed and phosphoric acid is produced.

 

 

Other applications of phosphoric acid

• Phosphoric acid is widely used in agriculture.
• Phosphoric acid is used in the preparation of many detergents in order to reduce insoluble deposits.
• In the pharmaceutical and therapeutic sector, this acid is widely used; In dentistry, they use the combination of phosphoric acid with zinc to fill damaged teeth. Among its other uses, we can also mention sticking implants.
• One of the most widely used uses of phosphoric acid is its use in the preparation of soft drinks; In fact, this acid plays an important role in the taste of soft drinks and controls their acidity level.

 

 

Buying and selling of phosphoric acid

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