Summary for hcl 36% pipe material Discussion
For hydrochloric acid 36% concentration, the thread says the cheapest reliable pipe material is PVC, with schedule 40 as a minimum and schedule 80 preferred for better durability. James Watts advises that the pipe must be well supported, allowed for thermal expansion, and protected from sunlight and fluorescent light because UV exposure makes PVC brittle over time. He also notes that clear PVC is available from Harvel, but it costs more and is less UV-tolerant, so it should be used cautiously. A second answer agrees that uPVC is suitable even for full-strength HCl and suggests acrylic tubing as another transparent option if compatible sizes are available. That answerer also mentions that acrylic can be joined to PVC by expert thermoplastic welding, or by flanged joints or O-ring connections for easier replacement. Both answers favor heavier wall thickness, especially schedule 80.
Q. Good day to all.
I’d like to ask the following questions:
1. What is the cheapest but reliable material/s (pipes) for HCl 36% solution?
2. Is there a transparent material/s applicable for HCl 36% solution?
Thanks so Much
Zander Velasquez
Engineer – Manila, Philippines
2006
A. PVC would be the cheapest. It should be used in an appropriate gage with schedule 40 as a probable minimum and schedule 80 being preferable. It must be adequately supported! It must have some room for thermal expansion! It should be protected from sunlight and from fluorescent light for longest service. The UV makes it brittle over time.
Clear PVC is available from companies like Harvel. It costs more and has a lower tolerance for UV light.
Approach with caution as you never know what level of abuse it will have in its final plant.
James Watts
– Navarre, Florida
2006
A. Hi Zander,
What James Watt says makes eminent sense. uPVC is A.OK for even full strength HCl.
Re a ‘clear’ material, consider also Acrylic tubing which, if you can get it at the same size of the PVC pipe, then it can be intercemented. Acrylics can also be interwelded to PVC, if done by an expert thermoplastic welder. Another alternative is to use flanged joints…. this infers easy replacement. Other methods of including acrylic is by using O-ring connections.
Yup, go the heaviest wall thickness….over here we call that Schedule 80
Freeman Newton [deceased] (It is our sad duty to advise that Freeman passed away
April 21, 2012. R.I.P. old friend).
2006
Q. Dear Sir,
But how about the cementing material? Any of them can stand HCl 36%? I am planning for transfer piping for HCl 33%, 35 °5 bars max.
Donno MAHARANTO
– Batam, Indonesia
July 15, 2013