Phosphoric acid has several different applications in a variety of fields. The chemical is used in agriculture, foods and drinks, dentistry, medicines, cleaning agents, and a host of other products and areas. With its ease of use and capability for mass production, MSDS-grade phosphoric acid is a valuable ingredient. But a lot of work goes into developing a high-grade chemical that’s suitable for use in its range of roles. Let’s explore four significant points of phosphoric acids.
Purification
Raw phosphoric acid is a somewhat hazardous chemical to handle, according to MSDS. Direct application to the skin, inhalation, or ingestion can cause harmful side effects. But how is a compound like this used in medical, agricultural, and food industries without mass side effects to consumers? Phosphoric acid undergoes a purification process to clean out the other compounds scattered throughout the product, producing a high-grade industrial chemical that’s safe for use for consumers.
The purification process contains many steps, as there is no efficient method of purifying the compound using one singular method. The most effective means are a combination of chemicals and solvents. This wet extraction method removes impurities from the acid, and through several controlled applications, ends in a resulting pure acid that is safe for use in food and is useful in treatments like fertilizer.
Uses
Phosphoric acid is used in a variety of products, such as the fertilizer as mentioned earlier, food and drink, dentistry, and other medical applications. Phosphate salts, a derivative of the chemical compound phosphorus, are beneficial in fertilizers, as the salts promote the conversion of nutrients into energies, thus allowing the plant to thrive and grow. The chemical is well-known in food industries as an additive that produces a tangy, sour taste in food and drink. It’s an ingredient found in colas and other bottled teas and fruit-flavored beverages. Phosphoric acid is also combined with baking soda to make baking powder.
Phosphoric acid is also found in dental cement and is used to roughen the surface of teeth for the application of braces and other dental appliances. The chemical is primarily found in over-the-counter anti-nausea medicines along with sugar, to act as an effective nausea breaker.
Technology
The technology for purifying phosphoric acid is ever-growing in today’s modern world. As mentioned, the wet process method is perhaps the most popular method of purifying the compound, but there are numerous companies worldwide who have developed and continue to fine-tune the technologies for purifying the acid more easily and more efficiently. Patented techniques for purification are on the rise and promise better, for efficient processes. Currently, dry process and wet process are the dominant forms of purification. However, dry process, although it produces a fine, pure phosphoric acid, is more expensive. The wet process requires time and several applications of chemical and solvent combinations to complete purification, but it remains a staple in the industry due to its lower cost.
Economics
High-grade phosphates found in natural reserves are dwindling. Like most resources on planet earth, its use must be monitored to ensure it is not entirely depleted. However, the development of mechanical manufacture of phosphoric acid, to keep up with demand and consumption, is a necessary process. Active development of phosphoric acid extracted from low-grade ores is crucial if the market for phosphoric acid, especially in food and drink products, is to be met continuously
