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Maximum probable concentration of HCl in waste

July 10, 2010

We dispose of hazardous waste. Sometimes customers need to dispose of chemicals with a "short notice" and don"t have analyticals done. sometimes we have to research information wherever we can on the spot.

we need to dispose of 5000 gals of hydrochloric acid but don't know the concentration to be able to determine the technology to be used for disposal.

what is the highest concentration of HCl that could be on this matrix?

Fernando Montes
environmental disposal - El Paso, Texas, USA

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July 16, 2010

Fernando,

It is impossible for us to remotely tell you what the maximum potential concentration is. Commercially available the maximum you can buy is 36% v/v Hydrochloric acid (specific gravity 1.18).

There are two reasonably easy ways to determine the concentration. Firstly, if it is just hydrochloric acid then a simple density check will tell you the right ballpark concentration figure.

For a more accurate measure you can do a simple acid-base titration, using something like methyl orange ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] as an indicator.

Brian Terry
Aerospace - Yeovil, Somerset, UK

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Since you said dispose of not treat I would think that the hauler/treatment firm would test the material before they pick it up (make sure it is the material you say it is and not some other waste or containing heavy metals, etc). Contact your waste hauler.

Gene Packman
- Great Neck, New York
July 19, 2010