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Diluting Sulfuric Acid: Fuming

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Subystud

Chemical
Jan 12, 2012
60
When diluting 98% sulfuric acid it fumes. What is this fume? H2SO4 as a vapor? SO3? H2O?
 
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Why are you diluting fuming sulphuric acid, that someone has put all that extra effort into concentrating for you, and saturating with SO3? Why not use the 93% commercial material, which doesn't fume?
 
The 98.7% acid is not fuming. I have 500 mL of DI water in an ice bath on a stir plate. I am adding 450 mL of 98.7%. I slowly add via a 1L graduated cylinder in to the DI water. When even small portions of 98.7% are added, it fumes.

What is this fume?
 
Sorry for the error- it's been a while since I've used it, but the tech grade acid around here is typically 95-98% too rather than the 93% that I recall. I do recall seeing some fume generation during open pour dilution, particularly during humid days. Could it have to do with the hydration of the dry acid? Just guessing- don't really know.
 
Thanks for the response. For reference, it was in Florida. It was 50F ambient, and 100% humidity.
 
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