Important Uses for Hydrochloric Acid
Hydrochloric acid is a powerful acid produced by dissolving the gas hydrogen chloride in water. It is often abbreviated as HCl, although strictly speaking this is actually the formula for the hydrogen chloride gas. HCl in water is very corrosive and reactive with numerous substances, including metals. These properties make it useful for a wide variety of applications.
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Metallurgy
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One of the main uses for HCl is in a process known as steel pickling. In pickling, steel is passed through a bath of HCl which reacts with and removes rust and scale on the metal surface. This cleans the steel and produces a fresh surface, ready for further operations such as drawing into wire. HCl is also used to prepare metals for galvanizing and soldering, as well as to etch aluminum.
Foods
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HCl is used in the production of various foods, especially in the processing of high fructose corn syrup. In this process, HCl is used in a peripheral manner, to regenerate ion exchange resins used in the purification of the syrup. About three quarters of corn syrup made in this fashion goes into soft drinks. Other uses for HCl in food production include adjusting the pH of various sauces and juices and in the manufacture of gelatin.
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Oil and Ore Production
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HCl can be used to increase the output of oil wells in a technique known as stimulation. In stimulation, HCl is injected into rock formations to dissolve certain minerals such as limestone and create more efficient pathways for oil to flow to the surface. The acid also clears away other impediments such as rust and scale. HCl is used in a wide variety of mining operations, including the treatment of ore to recover metals such as molybdenum and gold.
Other Applications
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There are many, many other uses for HCl. It is reacted with calcium carbonate to form the salt calcium chloride (CaCl2). CaCl2 has numerous uses such as road deicing and concrete treatment. It is a reagent in a number of useful chemical reactions, the production of polyvinyl chloride polymer being one. It is used in the production of numerous consumer goods, including textiles, pharmaceuticals and dyes. Packaged under the name muriatic acid, it is frequently used around the household for removing stains and balancing the pH of swimming pools.
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