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Definition and Chemical Properties of Phosphoric Acid

Chemical Structure and Formula

Phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄) is a weak triprotic acid that is colorless, odorless, and syrupy in its concentrated form. It is one of the most important phosphorus compounds in industrial chemistry and plays a crucial role in numerous applications across various industries.

Chemical Formula: H₃PO₄ (Molecular weight: 97.99 g/mol)
Physical Properties
Property Value Unit Conditions
Melting Point 42.35 °C Pure acid
Boiling Point 158 °C 85% solution
Density 1.685 g/cm³ 85% at 25°C
pH 1.5 - 0.1 M solution
Acid Dissociation

Phosphoric acid is a triprotic acid, meaning it can donate three protons. The dissociation occurs in three steps:

  • First dissociation: H₃PO₄ ⇌ H⁺ + H₂PO₄⁻ (pKa₁ = 2.15)
  • Second dissociation: H₂PO₄⁻ ⇌ H⁺ + HPO₄²⁻ (pKa₂ = 7.20)
  • Third dissociation: HPO₄²⁻ ⇌ H⁺ + PO₄³⁻ (pKa₃ = 12.35)

Image: Commercial phosphoric acid in industrial containers

Concentration Distribution
Commercial 85%
Food Grade 75%
Technical 50%
Laboratory 25%
Safety Warning

Concentrated phosphoric acid is corrosive and can cause severe burns

Corrosive Irritant

Phosphoric Acid Production Methods

Wet Process (Gypsum Process)

The wet process is the most common method for producing phosphoric acid, accounting for approximately 95% of global production. This process involves treating phosphate rock with sulfuric acid.

Process: Phosphate rock is crushed and ground to increase surface area
Purpose: Enhance reaction efficiency
Particle size: Typically 100-300 mesh

Reaction: Ca₃(PO₄)₂ + 3H₂SO₄ → 3CaSO₄ + 2H₃PO₄
Temperature: 70-80°C
Duration: 4-6 hours

Separation: Gypsum (CaSO₄·2H₂O) is filtered out
Result: Crude phosphoric acid (28-32% P₂O₅)
Equipment: Vacuum filters or centrifuges
Purification Process
  • Clarification: Removal of suspended solids
  • Concentration: Evaporation to desired strength
  • Crystallization: Further purification if needed

Thermal Process (Electric Furnace)

The thermal process produces high-purity phosphoric acid by burning elemental phosphorus in air and then hydrating the resulting P₂O₅.

Parameter Wet Process Thermal Process
Purity Technical Grade Food/Electronic Grade
P₂O₅ Content 54-56% 75-85%
Energy Consumption Low High
Production Cost Lower Higher
Global Production Statistics
Annual Production

~45 million metric tons

Leading Producers

China, USA, Morocco

Production Economics
Raw Materials: 60%
Energy: 25%
Other Costs: 15%
Environmental Note: The wet process generates large quantities of phosphogypsum as a byproduct, requiring proper disposal or utilization.

Industrial Applications of Phosphoric Acid

Fertilizer Industry
  • Diammonium phosphate (DAP)
  • Monoammonium phosphate (MAP)
  • Triple superphosphate (TSP)
  • Complex NPK fertilizers
80% of production
Food Industry
  • pH adjustment and buffering
  • Flavor enhancement
  • Preservative properties
  • Cola beverage acidulant
6% of production
Metal Treatment
  • Rust removal and prevention
  • Metal surface preparation
  • Phosphate coating formation
  • Cleaning and etching
14% of production

Application Distribution by Industrial Sector

Industry Sector Usage Percentage Primary Application Quality Grade
Fertilizer Production 80% P₂O₅ source for fertilizers Technical
Food & Beverages 6% Acidulant and preservative Food grade
Metal Treatment 5% Surface treatment and cleaning Industrial
Detergents 4% Builder and chelating agent Technical
Other Applications 5% Various specialized uses Variable
Metal Surface Treatment Details
Rust Conversion: Fe₂O₃ → FePO₄
Paint Adhesion: Improved coating bond
Corrosion Protection: Passive layer formation
Concentration Requirements
Metal Treatment: 10-85%
Food Grade: 75-85%
Fertilizer: 54%
General Industrial: 50%
Technical Note: The choice of phosphoric acid concentration and purity depends on the specific application requirements and regulatory standards.

Grades and Concentrations of Phosphoric Acid

Commercial Grades Classification

Grade Type P₂O₅ Content (%) H₃PO₄ Content (%) Primary Applications
Merchant Grade 54-56 75-80 Fertilizer production
Technical Grade 61-62 85 Industrial processes
Food Grade 61-62 85 Food and pharmaceutical
Electronic Grade 61-62 85 Semiconductor industry
Reagent Grade 61-62 85 Laboratory analysis
Purity Specifications
Technical Grade Limits
  • Iron (Fe): < 0.003%
  • Aluminum (Al): < 0.003%
  • Heavy metals: < 0.001%
  • Chloride (Cl): < 0.0005%
Food Grade Limits
  • Arsenic (As): < 0.5 ppm
  • Lead (Pb): < 1 ppm
  • Fluoride (F): < 10 ppm
  • Sulfate (SO₄): < 0.003%
Quality Control: Regular testing is essential to maintain grade specifications and ensure product quality.

Image: Different grades of phosphoric acid in laboratory setting

Grade Usage Distribution
Merchant Grade: 70%
Technical Grade: 20%
Food Grade: 8%
Electronic Grade: 2%
Temperature Stability

Stability range varies by concentration

85%: Stable to 150°C 50%: Stable to 200°C

Phosphoric Acid in Food Industry

Food Applications

Beverage Industry
Acidulant in cola drinks and soft beverages
Bakery Products
Leavening agent and dough conditioner
Dairy Products
pH adjustment and protein modification
Meat & Seafood
Preservation and texture improvement
Food Safety Functions
  • Antimicrobial: Inhibits bacterial growth
  • pH Buffering: Maintains stable acidity
  • Shelf Life: Extends product stability
  • Color Retention: Prevents oxidation

Regulatory Standards

Regulatory Body E-Number/Code ADI (mg/kg bw/day) Status
FDA (USA) GRAS No limit specified Generally Recognized as Safe
EU Commission E338 70 Approved food additive
Codex Alimentarius INS 338 70 International standard
JECFA - 70 Acceptable levels
Consumption Levels
Beverages: 0.05-0.5%
Processed Foods: 0.1-1.0%
Dairy: 0.02-0.1%
Bakery: 0.1-0.3%
Taste Profile

Provides clean, tart flavor without metallic aftertaste

pH 2.1-2.3 Clean taste
Health Note: Phosphoric acid in food applications is considered safe when used within established limits and guidelines.

Safety and Handling of Phosphoric Acid

Personal Protective Equipment

Eye Protection
Chemical safety goggles or face shield
Hand Protection
Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile or neoprene)
Respiratory Protection
Acid gas respirator in poorly ventilated areas
Body Protection
Chemical-resistant apron and clothing
First Aid Measures
Exposure Route Immediate Action Duration Medical Attention
Skin Contact Flush with water 15-20 minutes If irritation persists
Eye Contact Flush with water 15 minutes Immediately
Inhalation Fresh air Continuous If breathing difficulty
Ingestion Do not induce vomiting - Immediately

Hazard Classification

Corrosivity
  • Causes severe skin burns
  • Serious eye damage
  • Metal corrosion
Inhalation Hazards
  • Respiratory tract irritation
  • Mist formation risk
  • Chronic exposure effects
Environmental Impact
  • Aquatic toxicity
  • Soil acidification
  • Reaction with metals
Transportation Safety
UN Number

UN1805

Hazard Class

Class 8 (Corrosive)

Exposure Limits
TWA: 1 mg/m³
STEL: 3 mg/m³
Critical Warning: Concentrated phosphoric acid is highly corrosive. Proper training and safety equipment are mandatory for safe handling.

Storage Requirements for Phosphoric Acid

Environmental Conditions

Parameter Requirement Range Monitoring
Temperature Ambient 10-30°C Continuous
Humidity Controlled <60% RH Daily
Ventilation Mechanical 6-12 ACH Regular checks
Containment Secondary 110% capacity Annual inspection
Container Specifications
Bulk Storage
  • Fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP)
  • High-density polyethylene (HDPE)
  • Lined steel tanks
  • Corrosion-resistant materials
Container Sizes
  • Laboratory: 500mL-5L bottles
  • Industrial: 200L drums
  • Commercial: 1000L IBCs
  • Bulk: 20,000L+ tanks
Material Compatibility: Avoid storage in carbon steel, aluminum, or other reactive metals that can cause corrosion and contamination.
Shelf Life
Proper Storage: Indefinite
Poor Conditions: 1-2 years
Depends on storage conditions and container integrity
Incompatible Materials
  • Strong oxidizing agents
  • Strong bases
  • Active metals
  • Organic peroxides
Inspection Schedule
  • Daily: Visual inspection
  • Weekly: Level monitoring
  • Monthly: Complete check
  • Annual: Full assessment

Environmental Impact and Sustainability

Water Impact

Aquatic Effects
  • pH reduction in water bodies
  • Nutrient enrichment (eutrophication)
  • Toxic to aquatic organisms at high concentrations
  • Bioaccumulation potential: Low
Water Treatment
Neutralization: 85% effective
Precipitation: 90% removal
Advanced treatment: 95%+
Soil Impact
Soil Acidification: pH reduction
Nutrient Addition: Phosphorus availability
Microbial Impact: Altered soil biology

Air Quality

Emission Source Pollutant Control Method Efficiency
Production Process P₂O₅ dust Scrubbing systems 99%+
Storage tanks Acid vapors Vapor recovery 95%
Transfer operations Mist formation Enclosed systems 90%
Equipment leaks Acid gases Regular maintenance Variable
Waste Management
Recovery

Acid regeneration

Neutralization

Lime treatment

Reuse

Secondary applications

Global Environmental Regulations

Region Regulation Discharge Limits Monitoring Requirements
United States NPDES permits pH 6-9, P limits Monthly reporting
European Union Water Framework Directive Site-specific limits Continuous monitoring
China National standards GB 8978-1996 Daily monitoring
Global ISO 14001 EMS requirements Regular audits
Sustainability Note: Proper management and treatment of phosphoric acid can minimize environmental impact while supporting sustainable industrial practices.

Quality Control Testing for Phosphoric Acid

Analytical Test Methods

Test Parameter Method Specification Limit Frequency
P₂O₅ Content Gravimetric analysis ±0.5% of nominal Every batch
Density Hydrometer/Pycnometer ±0.002 g/cm³ Every batch
Iron Content ICP-OES/AAS <0.003% Daily
Heavy Metals ICP-MS Per grade specification Weekly
pH Value pH meter Grade dependent Every batch
Statistical Process Control
Control Charts
  • X-bar and R charts for P₂O₅
  • Individual moving range for density
  • Attribute charts for pass/fail tests
  • Trend analysis for drift detection
Process Capability
  • Cp > 1.33 for critical parameters
  • Cpk > 1.00 minimum requirement
  • Six Sigma methodology application
  • Continuous improvement programs
Quality Note: Regular calibration of analytical instruments and participation in proficiency testing programs ensure reliable results.
Instrument Requirements
  • Analytical balance (0.1mg)
  • pH meter (±0.01 pH)
  • Spectrophotometer (UV-Vis)
  • ICP instruments
Testing Schedule
Critical: Every batch
Important: Daily
Routine: Weekly
Certifications
ISO 9001 ISO 17025 GMP HACCP
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