Hydrochloric Acid

By Author: Rob Thomas
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Hydrochloric acid is a solution of hydrogen and chlorine, otherwise called, hydrogen chloride (HCl) that can be accessed from water. This chemical is a highly corrosive, potent, mineral acid which is naturally exist within gastric acid which is one of the main components that works in the intestinal tract to digest food and get rid of waste matter. Gastric acid also works in the body as a barrier against bacteria in order to ward off infection. The gastric acid consists mainly of hydrochloric acid which acidifies the stomach contents. Chloride (Cl-) and hydrogen (H ) ions are excreted separately in the stomach section which rest at the top of the stomach by parietal cells of the gastric mucosa into a secretory network called canaliculi before it enters the stomach lumen. After leaving the stomach, the hydrochloric acid of the chyme is neutralize in the duodenum by sodium bicarbonate. The stomach itself is guarded from the strong acid by the secretion of a thick, protective mucus layer, and by secretin induced buffering with sodium bicarbonate. If hydrochloride is sent to the esophagus, it can aggravate the lining of the esophagus ...
... and lead to the sensation like peptic ulcers or heartburn.
Apart from being naturally developed in the body, hydrochloric acid is commonly used as a powerful inorganic acid in numerous industrial manufacturing. Throughout the Middle Ages, it was utilized by alchemist in the quest for the philosopher's stone, and later on by European scientists including Davy, Glauber and Priestley in their scientific researches. In the past it was named 'muriatic acid' or 'spirits of salt', developed from vitriol and common salt. Hydrochloric acid became widely used at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, when it was used in the chemical business as a chemical reagent in the extensive production of vinyl chloride used to create PVC plastic, and MDI/TDI for polyurethane.
Hydrochloric acid is mainly used to create chlorides, for distilling ore in the production of tin and tantalum, for the storage and cleansing of metal produce, in electroplating, in removing scale from boilers, to neutralize basic systems, as a laboratory reagent, as a catalyst and substance in organic syntheses, in the manufacture of stimulants and dyes, for hydrolyzing starch and proteins in the preparation of certain food goods and in the photographic, textile, and rubber industries. It is also used in numerous smaller-scale application, including household cleaning, production of gelatin and other food additives, descaling, and leather processing. About 20 million metric tons of hydrochloric acid is manufactured yearly.
Potassium nitrate which is a chemical compound is also used to preserve food as a common component of salted meat since the Middle Ages, but its use has been mostly ceased and substituted with sodium nitrate (and nitrite) because they are more reliable in protecting food from bacterial infection. However, it is still used in some food products, such as charcuterie and the brine used to create corned beef. Potassium nitrate was also used long ago for a number of burning fuses, for example slow matches, fertilizer in amateur rocket propellants, and in several fireworks including smoke bombs. The major commercial source of the nitrate ion during the Late Middle Ages through to the 19th century is omposing urine.
As a fertilizer, potassium nitrate is used as a contributor of nitrogen and potassium, which is two of the macro nutrients for plants. Potassium nitrate is also the key ingredient for tree stump remover because it speeds up the natural decaying of the stump. It is used as a solvent in the heat treatment of metals in the post-wash. It works well as a short-term rust inhibitor because of its capability to oxidize, water solubility at a low cost. It has also been used in the production of ice cream and can be identified in some toothpaste especially created for sensitive teeth. Potassium nitrate is also one of the three components of black powder, along with pulverized charcoal and sulfur, where it acts as an oxidizer
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