Letter 37061

Neutralizing 1/2 litre of nitric acid 70% [Canada] 

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What would be the best procedure to neutralize apprximately 1/2 litre of 70% nitric acid solution?What precautions need to be taken ?What neutralizer could be used?

Rick Armstrong
Researcher - Iqaluit, NU, Canada

Slowly pour it into several litres of cold water in a glass or plastic container. This will allow the "acid" characteristic to become active, otherwise it's more of an "oxidising" agent than an acid.

Then drop in a handful of marble chips (limestone, calcium carbonate - should be plenty of waste chips from a monumental mason's yard. You will get a gentle effervescence. If all the marble chips are consumed, add some more. When there's no more effervescence and there's still some marble chips present, you've neutralised all the acid and you've got a solution of calcium nitrate instead. Pour it down the drain.

Bill Reynolds
Tasmet Systems - Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

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