What Is Hydrochloric Acid?
Hydrochloric acid is an aqueous solution of hydrogen chloride, represented by the chemical formula HCl. It is a colorless liquid with high acidity and has a strong pungent odor. Concentrated hydrochloric acid produces white smoke. Hydrochloric acid is also a major component of the gastric juices in most animals, including humans.
Hydrochloric acid is obtained by dissolving hydrogen chloride in water. Industrially, it is produced by reacting chlorine with hydrogen generated through the electrolysis of brine and then absorbing the resulting hydrogen chloride into water.
Concentrations of hydrochloric acid exceeding 10% are designated as deleterious substances.
Uses of Hydrochloric Acid
The main uses of hydrochloric acid are as a laboratory reagent and a food additive. In the laboratory, it is used to adjust the pH of solutions due to its strong acidic nature.
As a food additive, hydrochloric acid is used to saccharify starch, neutralize alkalinity, and prevent bacterial growth in alcoholic mashes.
Additionally, hydrochloric acid is employed in a wide range of applications, including as a cleaning agent for household and industrial purposes, for cleaning brick mortar, in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals and seasonings, and in removing rust from steel.