From time to time, someone calls in and wants to know more about the sulfuric acid in sealed batteries. It’s strange so many folk have no idea what sulfuric acid is, given that it is one of the most important compounds the chemical industry manufactures. Just over half of it goes into making phosphate fertilizers. Watered-down sulfuric acid in sealed lead acid batteries only accounts for a small amount of the remainder
How They Make the Sulfuric Acid in Sealed Batteries
Manufacturing sulfuric acid follows a four-stage process. The first step is extraction from a host material, before conversion to sulfur dioxide. A second phase converts the sulfur dioxide to sulfur trioxide. Finally, this in turn becomes the diluted sulfuric acid in sealed batteries.
Sulfur is abundantly available on earth. However, it usually occurs as sulfide, or within the structure of a sulfate mineral. The commonest sources for recovery are natural gas and oil, and as a byproduct of metal refining. In this way, the sulfuric acid industry obtains it’s most important raw material affordably.
More than Just Electrolyte in Lead-Acid Batteries
Sulfuric acid is in high demand around the world and contributes in many ways. Indeed, the amount a particular region produces is a good indicator of its industrial health, subject to size. Thus, Asia produces 35% of the world’s 180-million-ton total, followed by North America at 24%.
As we mentioned earlier the largest application is fertilizers, in particular superphosphates, and ammonium sulfates. The chemical industry, the next largest customer turns 20% into detergents, dyestuffs, insecticides, and pharmaceuticals to mention just a few.
Other Uses for the Sulfuric Acid in Sealed Batteries
The battery industry’s uptake is relatively small, although significant in terms of transport. One of sulfuric acid’s most important roles is acid dipping in the steel industry to remove rust and scaling. On a personal level, we experience its benefits daily in the form of household cleaners and grease removers, and even in the potable water that the utility purifies for us.
Related
How Sealed Lead-Acid Batteries Work
What Chemicals are Used in Batteries?
Preview Image: Battery Research at Oak Ridge
