Nitric acid remover from Sulphuric acid

Removing nitric acid from sulfuric acid is a process often required in industrial settings to purify sulfuric acid or to separate the two acids for specific applications. This process typically involves a chemical reaction or a physical separation method that exploits the differences in properties of the two acids.

HNO3+NaOH†NaNO3+H2O

• The resulting sodium nitrate (NaNO3) can then be separated from the sulfuric acid.
  

• Advantages: Simple and straightforward.
  
• Disadvantages: Introduction of additional chemicals that need to be managed and separated.
  

• Extraction:

  • Principle: Using a solvent that selectively dissolves nitric acid but not sulfuric acid.
    

  • Process:

    • Add an organic solvent (e.g., ether) to the mixture.
      
    • The solvent will extract nitric acid from the aqueous phase.
      
    • Separate the organic phase containing the nitric acid from the aqueous phase containing sulfuric acid.
      
  • Advantages: Effective separation without high temperatures.
    
  • Disadvantages: Requires careful handling of solvents and potential solvent recovery.
    

• Ion Exchange:

  • Principle: Utilizing ion exchange resins to selectively remove nitric acid ions.
    

  • Process:

    • Pass the acid mixture through an ion exchange column.
      
    • The resin will bind to the nitrate ions (NO3-) and remove them from the sulfuric acid.
      
  • Advantages: High specificity and can be regenerated for reuse.
    
  • Disadvantages: May be cost-intensive and require maintenance of the ion exchange system.