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Sound technical content, curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ

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Spent nitric acid solution - what happens to it?

What is done with the nitric acid desmutting solution once it is spent? Does it ever get spent? I do product development for my company and have an idea that could use this solution as the raw material. What impurities are present? How much aluminum would be present, typically?

Thanks,

Greg Simpson
chemical - Houston, Texas
2003

Hi, Greg. Nitric acid is both an acid and an oxidizing agent and it is used because both of those properties are required, and that means that both qualities gradually become exhausted.

The acid becomes laden with copper, and some of the NO₃ is reduced to NO₂ or NO and is dissipated as a fume.

To my knowledge it is generally waste treated, and the EPA is very concerned about nitrates in waste water, so if you have an idea for a beneficial use, that would be great.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
October 13, 2009

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