Nitric acid

Nitric acid plant

Nitric acid (HNO₃) is a transparent, or yellowish fuming, suffocating, hygroscopic, corrosive liquid. Nitric acid is a strong mineral acid with oxidising properties. Miscible with water. Density and oxidising properties will vary with concentration. The acid is produced from ammonia by oxidation over platinum catalyst and absorption of formed nitrogen oxide in water. Concentrations up to 68 % can be produced by conventional distillations. Production of more concentrated nitric acid is possible by special techniques.

Main application for nitric acid is in production of nitrogen containing fertilisers. Substantial quantities are also used in chemical synthesis for manufacture of products like fibres, dyes, drugs, explosives in addition pickling of metals and cleaning are important end uses for nitric acid.