Sulphuric Acid - Specification: Indian Standard
Sulphuric Acid - Specification: Indian Standard
Sulphuric Acid - Specification: Indian Standard
Indian Standard
SULPHURIC ACID - SPECIFICATION
(Third Revision) ’
UDC 661.25
0 BIS 1993
BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS
MANAKBHAVAN, 9 BAHADUR SHAHZAFARMARG
NEW DELHI 110002
FOREWORD
This Indian Standard ( Third Revision ) was adopted by the Bureau of Indian Standards, after the draft
finahzed by the Acids, Alkalis and Halides Sectional Committee had been approved by the Chemical
Division Council.
This standard was first published in 1950 and then revised in 1961. The second revision was brought out
in 1977 whetem the pure grade was substituted by chemically pure grade. Changes were also made in
various requirements, namely, total acidity, iron, chlorides, lead, arsenic, oxidizable impurities and
ammonia for both chemically pure as well as analytical reagent grades of sulphuric acid. In the second
revision, the specific gravity requirement was deleted as it was felt that this requirement need not be a
part of the specification. However, reference may be made to IS 4048 : 1989 ‘Density composition
tables for aqueous solutions of sulphuric acid (first revision )’ for correlation between density and
composition of sulphuric acid.
In this revision, the requirements for iron content for the battery grade acid, oxidizable impurities for
the analytical reagent grade, antimony and platinum have been suitably amended. The method for
determination of oxidizable impurities has been modified. Suitable changes have been made in the
packing clause. This revision also incorporates Amendments No. 1, 2 and 3, issued in 1981, 1984 and
1986 respectively.
For general information regarding precautions to be observed in safe handling and use of sulphuric acid,
reference may be made to IS 4262 : 1967 ‘Code of safety for sulphuric acid’.
In the preparation of this standard, reference has been made to the following standards published by the
International Organization for Standardization ( IS0 ) :
ISO/910-1977 Sulphuric acid and oleum for industrial use - Determination of total acidity and
calculation of free sulphur trioxide content of oleum, titrimetric method.
ISO/913-1977 Sulphuric acid and oleum for industrial use - Determination of ash - Gravimetric
method.
ISO/R 915-1968 Sulphuric acid and oleum for industrial use - Determination of iron content -
2, 2’-bipyridyl spectrophotometric method.
ISO/2717-1973 Sulphuric acid and oleum for industrial use - Determination of lead content -
Dithizone photometric method.
For the purpose of deciding whether a particular requirement of this standard is complied with, the
final value, observed or calculated, expressing the result of a test or analysis, shall be rounded off
in accordance with IS 2 : 1960 ‘ Rules for rounding off numerical values ( revised ) ‘. The number of
significant places retained in the rounded off value should be the same as that of the specified value in
this standard.
IS 266 : 1993
Indian Standard
SULPHURIC ACID -SPECIFICATION
(Third Revision )
1 SCOPE dilute acid as received, shall be free from
suspended matter and other visible impurities.
1.1 This standard prescribes the requirements
and the methods of sampling and test for 4.1.3 Chemically Pure and Analytical Reagent
sulphuric acid. Grades
2 REFERENCES
Sulphuric acid of chemically pure and analytical
2.1 The Indian Standards listed below are reagent grades shall be a clear and colourless
necessary adjuncts to this standard: liquid, free from suspended matter and other
IS No. Title visible impurities.
264 : 1976 Nitric acid ( second revision ) 4.2 The material shall also comply with the
265 : 1993 Hydrochloric acid (fotrrth requirements given in Table 1 when tested
revision ) according to the methods prescribed in Annex A.
1070 : 1992 Reagent grade water ( third Reference to the relevant clauses of Annex A
revision ) is given in co1 8 of the Table 1.
1260 Pictorial marking for hand-
(Part 1) : 1973 ling and labelling of goods : 4.3 Optional Requirements
Part 1 Dangerous goods 4.3.1 Technical Grade
(first revision )
1388 : 1959 Reagents bottles Subject to agreement between the purchaser and
the supplier, technical grade acid complying
2088 : 1983 Methods for determination with all the requirements given in co1 3 of Table 1
of arsenic (seco& revision) except that for total acidity, may also be
4905 : 1968 Methods for random samp- supplied as more dilute or more concentrated
ling acid.
5296 : 1979 Chloroform, pure and
technical (Jil:rt revision) 4.3.2 Battery Grade
4.1.2 Battery Grade (Concentrated and Dilute) b) When tested according to the method
prescribed in A-18, the concentrated acid
Sulphuric acid of battery grade shall be a colour- shall contain not more than 0.2 ppm and
less liquid. The concentrated acid on dilution the dilute acid not more than @06 ppm of
with ah’ equal volume of distilled water, and the platinum (as Pt).
1
Table 1 Requirements for Sulphuric Acid
ii>
( Clauses 4.2 and 4.3 )
E
..
c
SI No. Characteristic Requirement Method of Test, U
~---------------- h--------_-__-__~ I Ref to Cl No. s
Technical Battery Grade (,hemically Analyttcal in Annex A )
Grade r__c_-&i_.-_~ Pure Grade Reagent Grade
Concentrated Dilute
ii) Residue on ignition, percent by mass, Max 0’2 0’06 0’02 0’01 0‘002 A-3
iii) Iron (as Fe), percent by mass, Maw 0’05 0’003 0’001 0’001 0’000 05 A-4
(0’5 ppm)
iv) Chlorides (as Cl), percent by mass, fiflox - 0%01 0’000 3 0’003 5 0.000 02 A-5
(3 ppm) (0‘2 ppm)
v) Lead (as Pb), percent by mass, Max 0’005 0’002 0’000 1 A-6
(1 ppm)
h) vi) Arsenic (as As), percent by mass, Max 0’004 0’000 12 0’000 04 0’0002 0’000 005 A-7
(I ‘7 ppni) (0’4 ppm) (2 ppnl) (0 05 ppni)
vii) Oxidizable impurities (as SO*), percent by mass, - 0’0’ rJ.O? 0 001 0 000 4 A-U
Max (4 I-wn~
ix) Nitrates (as NOs), percent by mass, Max - - 0’000 02. A-IO
(0’2 ppm)
xi) Selenium (as Se), percent by mass, Max - 0’00’ 0 000 6 - ,I-12
(6 ppm)
xii) M;lngalle\e (as Mn), percent by mass, Max - 0 000 I 0.000 03 - - A-l?
(I ppm) (0’3 ppm)
xiii) Copper (ris Cu), percent by mass, Max - 0’003 0’001 A-l-l
xiv) Zinc (as Zn), percent by mass, Max 0’003 0’001 - <\-IS
XV) g;w;tc;a2trites and ammonia (as NJ, percent by 0 003 0’001 0’00 3 A-16
,
IS 266 : 1993
5 PACKING AND MARKING fiiled with the same material to prevent move-
ment. Carboys shall be packed in suitable iron
5.1 Packing hampers or wooden crates, with the inter-space
being sufficiently stuffed with whiting, keiselguhr
5.1.1 The material shall be packed in containers or other noncombustible”materia1.
as agreed to between the purchaser and the
supplier and subject to the provisions of Red 5.1.6 In case of dilute sulphuric acid of relative
Tariff No. 18 of 1960 issued by the Indian density not more than l-216, certified in writing
Railway Conference Association, with any by the consignor, the inside packing of the case
alteration or addition made thereafter. may be straw or grass or wood shavings and the
mass of each case shall not exceed 130 kg.
5.1.2 When sulphuric acid is supplied in poly-
ethylene containers or screw-stoppered stone- 5.2 Marking
ware bottles or glass carboys or in cans, the
containers shall be fitted with leak-tight 5.2.1 The containers up to 12-litre capacity and
stoppers. also the packages shall be suitably marked in red
letters, the height of the letters shall be such as
5.1.3 Sulphuric acid of CP and AR grades shall to be visible with the naked eye. The drums and
be supplied in polyethylene containers or in glass tank wagons shall be marked in red letters not
bottles or glass carboys, fitted with tight less than 5 cm high, showing the name of the
TEFLON washers (of thickness 0.02 mm) and acid; indication of the source of manufacture;
stoppered with HDPE or other suitable stoppers. the grade and mass of the material; and the
The r;se of HDPE or other suitable caps over recognized trade-mark, if any. They shall
the stopper 1s recommended. prominently display the words ‘CORROSIYE,
5.1.4 When steel drums are used for transport HANDLE WITH CARE’.
by rail of acid of relative density not less than 5.2.2 The data of chemical analysis shall also be
l-74, these shall comply with the requirements shown on the containers of the analytical
of the specifications for steel drums prescribed reagent grade of the material.
in Red Tariff No. 18 of 1960 issued by the
Indian Railway Conference Association, with 5.2.3 The packages shall be labelled as shown
any alteration or addition made thereafter. in Fig. 15 of 1s 1260 (Part 1) : 1973.
5.1.5 The bottles or jars shall be packed in 6 SAMPLING
suitable pent top packing cases. These shall be
placed in an upright position on one layer of sand The method of drawing representative samples
or ashes free from cinders, or chalk, or dry earth of the material shall be as prescribed in
and the empty surrounding space shall also bc Annex B.
ANNEX A
( Clauses 4.2 and 4.3.2.2 )
3
IS 266 : 1993
1
spite of shaking. Withdraw the glass rod and
wash it with water, collecting the washings in
the conical flask. Add two drops of methyl red
indicator solution and titrate to the end point
with standard sodium hydroxide solution.
.
Is 266 : 1993
8
IS 266 : 1993
9
Is 266 : 1993
10
IS 266 : 1993
A-14.1.1 Nessler Cylinders - 50-ml capacity. A-15.2.7 Potassium Ferrocyanide Solution, 5 per-
cent ( m/v ).
A-14.2 Reagents
A-15.2.8 Standard Zinc Solution
A-14.2.1 Concentrated Hydrochloric Acid - ( see
IS 265 : 1993 ). &solve O-1 g of pure zinc in IO ml of hydro-
chloric acid and dilute to 1 000 ml. One
A-14.2.2 Ammonium Hydroxide, relative den- mthihtre of this solution contains 0.1 mg of
sity 0.90. zinc.
A-14.2.3 Stundard Copper Solution A-15.2.9 Calcium Carbonate
Dissolve 0.393 g of cupric sulphate( CuSO&,O)
in 1 000 ml of water. One millilitre of the A-15.3 Procedure
solution contains 0.1 mg of copper ( as Cu ).
A-15.3.1 In a silica dish, evaporate 25 ml ( for.
A-14.3 Procedure concentrated grade ) or 100 ml ( for diiute
grade ) of battery grade sulphuric acid to
Add to the residue obtained in A-3.1, 1 ml of dryness. Dissolve in 25 ml of 5 percent sul-
concentrated hydrochloric acid, warm on a phuric acid and precipitate heavy metals with
steam-bath to dissolve copper and iron oxides, hydrogen sulphide.
and dilute to 10 ml. Neutralize the solution
with ammonium hydroxide and add 4 ml of Filter off the heavy metals and boil the filtrate
ammonium hydroxide in excess. Heat sufficiently to remove the hydrogen sulphide, cool,
to coagulate any precipitate, filter into a Nessler neutralize with ammonium hydroxide and add
cylinder, and dilute to 25 ml. The relevant 10 ml of 50 percent citric acid solution. Heat
ltmit prescribed in Table 1 shall be taken as not the solution to boiling and if no calcium citrate
having been exceeded if the intensity of the separates, add small quantities of calcium
blue colour in the solution is not greater than carbotane at a time until a precipitate of about
that of a control standard prepared from the 1-O g of calcium citrate is formed. Remove
following amounts of standard copper solution from heat and pass a stream of hydrogen
treated with 4 ml of ammonium hydroxide and sulphide through the solution until it has cooled.
diluted to 25 ml in another Nessler cylinder: Filter the solution through a small filter paper
and wash with ammonium thiocyanate solution.
15 ml in the case of battery grade con- Dissolve the precipitate in 3 ml of hydrochloric
centrated acid, and acid diluted to 10 ml with water and wash the
5 ml in the case of battery grade dilute paper with water. Wash the solution into a
acid. IOO-ml Nessler cylinder and hold until a series
11
I6 266 : 1993
of standards covering the range in which the same procedure using the following quantities of
sample falls has been prepared by measuring standard ammonium chloride soldtion:
portions of the standard zinc solution into
lOO-ml Nessler cylinders. Dilute the standard a) 6 ml in the case of CP grade acid and
and sample solutions to about 90 ml and add battery grade concentrated acid, and
3 ml of hydrochloric acid to the standard b) 2 ml in the case of battery grade dilute
solution and 2 ml of potassium ferrocyanide acid.
solution to all solutions. Dilute the contents of
each Nessler cylinder to the mark and mix A-16.3.1 The relevant limit prescribed in Table 1
thoroughly. After standing for at least 5 minutes shall be taken as not having been exceGded if
compare the turbidity of the standard and the the intensity of colour produced \bith the
sample. Calculate the percentage of zinc from material is not greater than that produced in
the quantity of sample taken and the standard the respective control test.
solution similar in turbidity to that of the
sample. A-17 TEST FOR ANTIMONY
I2
IS 266 : 1993
without first removing arsenic. In this case, b) If the arsenic content ( as As ) has been
evaporate exactly 20 g of the material to found to exceed 0.000 004 percent by mass,
4 or 5 ml, proceed as for the determination the arsenic present may interfere with the
of arsenic by modified Gutzeit method as determination of antimony and shall be
prescribed in IS 2088 : 1983 except that removed. In this case, take exactly 5 g of
the solution is finally warmed to about the material and proceed exactly in the
60°C and kept at that temperature for one manner described under A-17.2.1.2 (b) but
hour. Developed the colour by immersing using 1.5 ml of standard antimony
the mercuric chloride test paper strip ,in solution in the control test.
dilute ammonium hydroxide. Compare
the stain with that obtained under iden-
tical conditions from a solution containing A-17.2.3 The relevant limit prescribed in 4.3.2.2
4 ml of concentrated sulphuric acid and (a) shall be taken as not having been exceeded
1 ml of standard antimony solution. if the length of the stain produced with the
material as well as the intensity of its colour is
b) If the arsenic content ( as As ) has been not greater than that produced in the respective
found to exceed O*OOO012 percent by mass, control test.
the arsenic present may interfere with the
determination of antimony and shall first A-18 TEST FOR PLATINUM
be removed. In this case, evaporate
exactly 100 g of the material to 4 or 5 ml
in a 250-ml beaker, cool and cautiously A-18.1 Reagents
add 10 ml of water containing about
0.25 g of sodium sulphite. .Evaporate until A-18.1.1 Aqua Regia
fumes begin to appear, cool and add
100 ml of concentrated hvdrochloric acid. Prepared by mixing three volumes of concen-
Boil slowly in an open beaker until the trated hydrochloric acid with one volume of
volume is reduced to 40 or 45 ml, keeping concentrated nitric acid.
the temperature of the liquid below 110°C.
Use boiling tubes or some other device A-18.2 Procedure
to minimize bumping, and take care not
to let the volume get too small or the
temperature too high, otherwise some of A-18.2.1 For Battery Grade Concentrated Acid
the antimony may be lost. Transfer to a
Evaporate 10 ml of the material in a small
50-ml volumetric flask and dilute to
porcelain evaporating dish on a sand-bath.
50-ml. To a 10 ml aliquot, add 10 ml of
E,vaporate completely but do not heat the residue
water and 3 ml of concentrated sulphuric
unnecessarily. Cool and add 2 ml of aqua regia.
acid. Dilute to 50 ml and proceed as
Cover the dish with a watch-glass and digest on
directed in A-17.2.1.2 (a), comparing the
the steam-bath for 10 minutes. Remove the
stain with that obtained under identical
watch-glass and evaporate the solution to five
conditions from a solution containing
or six drops. If the solution accidentally evapo-
1 ml of standard antimotiy solution, 3 ml
rates completely, repeat the treatment with
of concentrated sulphuric acid and 4 ml
of concentrated hydrochloric acid. aqua regia. Absorb the residual solution in a
piece of thin asbestos paper not more than
O-8 mm thick, 5 mm wide and 30mm long. Hold
A-17.2.2 For Battery Grade Dilute Acid
the paper in a crucible tongs and dip half of it
~-17.2.2.1 Preliminary test into the solution. Dry gently over a flame and
repeat until all of the solution is absorbed. Dry
Take 100 ml of the material, dilute with water the paper and ignite to redness in a moderate
to 150 ml and proceed exactly in the same Bunsen flame ( 8 to 10 cm high with good air
manner as described under A-17.2.1.1. mixture ). Momentarily shut off the gas and
then turn it on again so that the stream of
A-17.2.2.2 Actual rest unignited gas plays on the hot asbestos paper,
held vertically. The limit prescribed in 4.3.2.2
a) If the arsenic content ( as As ) has been
(b) shall be taken as not having been exceeded
found to be not greater than O*OOO004
if there is no glowing of the paper.
precent by mass, antimony may be deter-
mined without first removing arsenic. Tn
this case, take exact1.y 100 g of the material A-18.2.2 For Battery Grade Dilute Acid
and proceed exactly In the manner describ-
ed under A-17.2.1.2 (a) but using 1.5 ml of Take 50 ml of the material and carry out the
standard antimony solution in the control test in exactly the same manner as described
test. under A-18.2.1.
13
.
L._,.___ E,,~
. _../.,,
^.,._
-xL--
-
IS 266 : 1993
ANNEX B
( Clause 6.1 )
B-3 PROCEDURE
B-3.1 Carboys, Drams, Jars and Bottles
For drawing respresentative samples from these
containers, agitate the material well by rolling
or by stirring with a glass rod. Draw the L
required quantity of the material with the glass
sampling instrument shown in Fig. 3 and
transfer it to a clean receptacle. This quantity
shall be sufficient to make triplicate determina- All dimensions III millimetres.
tions for all the characteristics given in Table I. FIG. 3 SAMPLIKG INSTRUMENT
14
IS 266 : 1993
~-3.1.1 A composite sample shall be prepared the acid. These shall be placed in clean, dry,
by mixing thoroughly a small but approximately glass-stoppered bottles and closed tightly, sealed
equal quantity from each of these individual and labelled with all the particulars of sampling.
samples. The quantity of material for the
composite sample shall be as given in B-4.1 B-4.3 The supplier shall retain one set of sealed
and B-4.2. samples and deliver one set to the purchaser or
his agent, if so required.
R-3.2 Tanlr Wagons
B-4.4 The third set of test samples, bearing the
While loading tank cars, sam les shall be drawn seals of the purchaser and the supplier, shall
at the discharge pipe where t Re material enters constitute the referee sample to be used in case
the tank car. The composite sample of not less of dispute between the purchaser and the
than 25 litres drawn from each wagon shall supplier.
consist of small portions of not more than
500 ml each, taken at regular intervals during B-5 NUMBER OF TESTS AND CRlTERlA
the period of filling. When samples are drawn FOR CONFORMITY
at the purchaser’s end, equal size samples of
not less than one litre each shall be taken at B-5.1 Total acidity shall be tested on each of
10 cm depth intervals and a composite sample the individual samples.
shall be prepared by mixing these in a
receptacle. B-5.2 The remaining characteristics given in
Table 1 shall be tested on the composite
B-4 TEST SAMPLES AND REFEREE sample.
SAMPLE
B-5.3 The lot shall be considered to have met
B-4.1 In case of sulphuric acid of battery grade, the requirements of total acidity if each of the
three sets of test samples of 600 ml each shall test results on the individual sample meets the
be obtained from the composite sample of each corresponding requirements given in Table I.
selected container after thorough agitation of
the acid. These shall be placed in clean, dry, B-5.4 The lot shall be considered to have met
glass-stoppered bottles, closed tightly, sealed the remaining requirements given in Table 1 if
and labelled with all the particulars of each of the test results on the composite
sampling. samples Latisfies the corresponding requirements
given in Table 1.
B-4.2 In case of other grades of sulphuric acid,
. three sets of test samples of 250 ml each shall B-5.5 The lot shall be declared as conforming
be obtained from the composite sample of each to the
_-_ requirements
_ .- of_ this specification if B-5.3
selected container after thorough agitation of and B-5.4 are satisfied.
Bureau of Indian Standards
BIS is a statutory institution established under the Bureau ofhdian Siandards Act, 1986 to promcte harmonious
development of the activities of standardization, marking and quality certification of goods and attending to
connected matters in the country.
Copyright
BIS has the copyright of all its publications. No part of these publications may be reproduced in any form without
the prior permission in writing of BIS. This does not preclude the free use, in the course of implementing the
standard, of necessary details, such as symbols and sizes, type or grade designations. Enquiries relating to
copyright be addressed to the Director (Publications), BIS.
Amendments are issued to standards as the need arises on the basis of comments. Standards are also reviewed
periodically; a standard along with amendments is reaffirmed when such review indicates that no changes are
needed; if the review indicates that changes are needed, it is taken up for revision. Users of Indian Standards
should ascertain that they are in possession of the latest amendments or edition by referring to the latest issue
of ‘BIS Handbook’ and ‘Standards : Monthly Additions’.
This Indian Standard has been developed from Dot : No. CHD 002 ( 0 109 ).
j $2
-i-T.~~-_-IIC*_..l_.-~.~-- -- ’
AMENDMENT N().
1 FEBRUARY 2003
TO
IS 266:1993 SULPHURIC ACID — SPECIFICATION
(Third Revision )
( /’a,qc 1, C/C~USC
2.] ) — lnser( the following at the appropriate place:
“IS 7017 : 1973 Test method for c(dorimetric determination of traces of heavy
metals by dithizone’,
I Pt[qc 2, S1 No, Table 1. (ii). {iii) and (v) ] — Substitute the following for
the ex]s[inz:
SI (’lxw+cteristic Requirement Mdlxt(f
No. T@(lMto
...—*. C&et%
,— \ in.hm A)
Technical BaItcry Grade Chemic- Analytical
Grade ally Pure Reagent
Concentrated Dilute Grade
Grade
11) Residue on 0.05 0.06 0.02 0.02 0.002 A-3
i:nil ion. percenL
hy mass. ktm
ill) Iron (as Fe). 0.01 0.003 0.001 0.001 0.00005 A-4
Pcrccw by mass,
M(Lt
( Page 7, cIIzuJ,’.) A-6, A-6.O a)d A-6.1 ) – Sul~stitute the Iollowing” I’(N
the existing:
A-6 DETERMINATION OF HEAVY METAL (AS LEAD)
A-6.O GENERAL
Two methods have been specified for determination of lead. Method A (.~ee
IS 7017: 1973) and Method B. However in case of dispute method A shall be
the referee method.
A-6.1 Method B
Evaporate 11 cc acid to dryness, Add 2 ml dilute hydrochloric acid and 18 ml
water. Warm to facilitate dissolution. To this add 30 ml water and 10 ml dilute
ammonia solution ( 5N ). Pass hydrogen sulphide gas to the solution for a few
seconds. The colour of the solution thus obtained is compared with a solution
containing 2 ml standard lead solution ( 1 ml = 0.01 m: Pb) and 3 ml dilute acetic
acid (5 N). Add 10 ml of dilute ammonia solution and made up to 50 m} volume
with water through which hydrogen sulphide gas is passed for few seconds. The
material shall deemed to have passed the test if the colour of the sample solution
is Iighter than standard solution.
( Page 9, clause A-7.1 ) — Substitute the following for the existing:
‘A-7.1 Procedure
To 22 ml acid add 1 ml of nitric acid and evaporate to 10 ml. Add to the cooled
residue cautiously 25 ml of water and again evaporate until white fumes appear.
Add to the cooled residue 50 ml of water, 0.2 ml of stannous chloride solution
(1.5 M) and test as per IS 2088 by silver diethyl dithiocarbamate method.’
( Page 9, clause A-8.2) — Substitute the following for the existing:
‘A-8.2 Procedure
Take a known volume of the material (say 10 to 20 ml) in a 250-ml conical flask
and dilute the acid with 5 times its volume of water with continuous cooling in
ice. Titrate the solution against standard potassium permanganate to a iight,
permanent pink colour end point.’
(CHD1)
Reprography Unit. 131S,New Ilelhi, India
2