How to deal with the tar-like substance that forms in sulfuric acid storage tanks
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What should be done regarding the tar-like substance that has formed in our facility’s sulfuric acid storage tanks, which contain sulfuric acid at a concentration of around 75%, as well as the partial crystallization? Steam tracing has been in use continuously, with the temperature ranging from around 70 to 110 degrees. Seek a solution.
What is the ambient temperature in the environment where the poster’s company is located?
The ambient temperature is around minus 20 degrees in winter, and it’s currently between zero and around 15 degrees.
The crystallization temperature for 75% sulfuric acid is -41°C, and based on these data, no crystallization should occur. Steam tracing is used to maintain the sulfuric acid temperature at 70–110°C – why is such a high temperature required?
Is 75% of your spent sulfuric acid used for drying chlorine, or for removing phosphorus from acetylene?
Something similar has happened in our unit as well, but in the end there was no other option – we had to wait until the sulfuric acid completely crystallized and then remove it manually.
It’s difficult to dig manually; the person in the storage tank can’t get out