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How to Clean Sulfuric Acid Tanks

Clayton Kim

Sulfuric acid is the most-produced chemical by the United States by volume. Sulfuric acid removes hydrogen and water from many materials. It can melt off your skin within a few seconds. Extreme caution must be used when cleaning sulfuric acid tanks. While it is a dangerous process, sulfuric acid tanks must be cleaned to maintain their security. The tanks are made from carbon steel, which does not react to the acid.

Ammonia neutralizes the pH balance of sulfuric acid.
  1. Fill a commercial liquid tank with two parts of ammonia solution and three parts distilled water.

  2. Spray the interior surface of the sulfuric acid tank.

  3. Let the ammonia solution soak for two hours. The ammonia solution neutralizes the pH of the sulfuric acid.

  4. Test the pH of the sulfuric acid tank. Wipe a piece of litmus paper on the side of the tank. Litmus paper turns blue when contacted with acid, and turns red when contacted with a base.

  5. Repeat Step 2 and 3 until the litmus paper does not react.

  6. Drain the excess solution from the sulfuric acid tank. Leave the tank open to dry.