Different Acids and Their Reactions Essay Example

Different Acids and Their Reactions Essay Example Different Acids and Their Reactions Essay Different Acids and Their Reactions Essay This reaction is important in the erosion of carbonate rocks, forming caverns, and leads to hard water in many regions. An unusual form of calcium carbonate is ikaite with crystal water, CaC036H20. Ikaite is stable only below 6 oc. [3]The big problem when descaling with citric or acetic acids are the released flavor additives which cause an obtrusive smell during descaling. The plastic parts of your fully automated coffee maker tend to taken on these smells and influence the smell and taste of your coffee negatively. Plastic parts and sealing gaskets of your unit can be attacked by the vinegar or acetic acid. Citric acid tends to flake during descaling. This can block the valves and water pipes and lead to high repair charges. An additional problem is that the limescale is actually sealed in by an indissoluble layer which occurs repeatedly when using descalers based on citric acids. [4]Advantages: Ethanoic acid is non-toxic and is a weak acid, meaning it will not do any damage to most surfaces as it does not corrode or bind to other metals, therefore can be easily removed through washing or rinsing it. Disadvantages: Ethanoic Acid is the slowest de-scaler of the three acids, and is therefore the least ffective. It also may cause an unpleasant smell, and can have a negative effect on the taste of coffee meaning one would need to spend longer time rinsing and cleaning the machine thoroughly to ensure that the taste of the coffee is not affected. Sulphamic acid also called sulfamic acid is a white crystalline solid which is stable and non-hygroscopic. It is soluble in water and formamide and slightly soluble in methanol, ether, acetone and concentrated sulphuric acid. It is classified as a strong inorganic acid and is commercially produced from urea and fuming sulphuric acid. At room temperature, dilute aqueous sulphamic acid solution is stable for a long time but rapid hydrolysis occurs at elevated temperatures. Its solution is less corrosive toward metals than other mineral acids like hydrochloric acid. Sulfamic acid possesses a scale solubilising capacity which makes it ideal for removal of scale from boilers, cooling towers, coils, heat exchangers, condensers and a wide range of heating and cooling systems thereby increasing the efficiency of plant and equipment. Sulphamic acid is used as an acidic cleaning agent, typically for metals and ceramics. It is a replacement for hydrochloric acid for the removal of rust. In households, it is often found as a descaling agent in detergents, cleaners and toilet cleaners for the removal of limescale. [4] Citric Acid Advantages: Citric acid leaves behind zero toxic residues and has Just enough acidic concentration to descale without etching or damaging household surfaces in any way and there are no volatile compounds or products that harm the environment. Disadvantages: Because citric acid is a weak acid, it wont remove heavy build-up of scale very quickly. It is also a powder hence it must be dissolved for use. It also works best with hot water meaning there will be higher energy consumption. Even when used with Sulfamic acid is the fastest de-scaler It dissociates into hydroxonium ions more readily in aqueous solution than the others, therefore giving a greater concentration of atoms that are able to react with the calcium in lime scale. It is safe to use because it does not produce chlorine gas [5], which can be toxic. Sulfamic acid also has a low volatility. Disadvantages: Sulfamic Acid can be an irritant to eyes or skin and is the most expensive of the de- scalers.