Getting HCl from limescale remover?

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In summary, I found a blue soapy substance that claims to contain 6.75% HCl. I don't know how to isolate just the HCl, but boiling it might work. He started with highly concentrated acid, so the partial pressure of gaseous HCl over solution was high - but even then procedure takes at least a week. Partial pressure of HCl goes down with lowering concentration (faster than the concentration goes down), plus the viscosity will slow down the mixing, both factors will slow down the process substantially.
  • #1
Fezziwig
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As a home chemist I don't have access to Hydrochloric acid, however I did find some limescale remover that claimed to contain 6.75% HCl. This substance is blue and soapy. Any ideas on how I could isolate just the HCl? (Obviously dissolved in water)
 
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  • #2
You would need to heat up the substance in a container and then the HCl should evaporate after some time, have the container hooked up using a tube to another container and you should have HCl gas in your 2nd container, getting into liquid form is beyond me.
 
  • #3
nst.john said:
You would need to heat up the substance in a container and then the HCl should evaporate after some time, have the container hooked up using a tube to another container and you should have HCl gas in your 2nd container, getting into liquid form is beyond me.

HCl is not volatile enough to make this method viable.
 
  • #4
getting into liquid form is beyond me.

I'd imagine this would be a simple matter of bubbling it through water. It also could be worth noting that I don't need this to be a very strong concentration or very efficient.

HCl is not volatile enough to make this method viable.

Although heating the solution might not release the HCl, do you think boiling it could work? I understand this would probably be quite dangerous, but too dangerous for a home experiment?
 
  • #5
It is possible to distill HCl from water solutions, but you won't get higher concentration than about 20%. Without a proper fume hood this is dangerous, plus, I am not sure I like the idea of heating the liquid as you described it. I guess it contains some gelling agent that makes it more viscous, if so, you can overheat the mixture locally and it will not boil evenly. That can make it explode.
 
  • #6
Borek said:
It is possible to distill HCl from water solutions, but you won't get higher concentration than about 20%. Without a proper fume hood this is dangerous, plus, I am not sure I like the idea of heating the liquid as you described it. I guess it contains some gelling agent that makes it more viscous, if so, you can overheat the mixture locally and it will not boil evenly. That can make it explode.

You're, right the limescale remover is a bit too viscous. The only other solution I can think of is the method of outgassing proposed in this video: . Could the gelling agent in the limescale remover might prevent this? and although the perfume of the limescale remove would probably also get carried across, It would certainly be easier to distill.
 
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  • #7
Fezziwig said:
The only other solution I can think of is the method of outgassing proposed in this video: .


To some extent - but I am not convinced it will work in any practical timescale. He started with highly concentrated acid, so the partial pressure of gaseous HCl over solution was high - but even then procedure takes at least a week. Partial pressure of HCl goes down with lowering concentration (faster than the concentration goes down), plus the viscosity will slow down the mixing, both factors will slow down the process substantially. No doubt you will get to HCl being split between containers eventually, but I would be not surprised if it will require several months or even longer. That's what I was aiming at with my first post.
 
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  • #8
I cannot imagine a more difficult proposition than distilling a soapy solution successfully. Very likely you will get hot acidic foam in the receiver and little else.
 
  • #9
Yeah, I gave up. Thanks for your help guys!
 

1. How does limescale remover produce HCl?

Limescale remover, also known as descaler, contains a chemical compound called hydrochloric acid (HCl). When mixed with water, this compound reacts to form HCl, which is then released to dissolve limescale deposits.

2. Is HCl produced from limescale remover safe to use?

While HCl is a strong acid, the concentration of HCl produced from limescale remover is typically low and not harmful to use. However, it is important to follow the safety instructions on the product label and avoid direct contact with the acid.

3. Can I use limescale remover to produce HCl for scientific experiments?

While limescale remover may contain HCl, it is not recommended to use it for scientific experiments. The concentration and purity of the HCl may vary and could affect the results of your experiment. It is best to purchase HCl from a chemical supplier for scientific use.

4. Can I make HCl from other household products?

Yes, HCl can be made from other household products such as vinegar or lemon juice. However, the concentration and purity of the acid may not be as reliable as purchasing it from a chemical supplier. It is important to use caution and proper safety measures when attempting to make HCl at home.

5. How do I safely dispose of HCl produced from limescale remover?

HCl produced from limescale remover can be neutralized with a base, such as baking soda, and then safely disposed of down the drain with plenty of water. It is important to avoid pouring concentrated HCl down the drain as it can damage plumbing and harm the environment.

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