Hydrogen Chloride as a pH Conditioner

Obtained from a water treatment chemical supplier, hydrogen chloride has an extremely low pH (around 1.5-2), making it a strong acid. The water treatment process is often presented with situations that demand an added strong acid and hydrogen chloride, which becomes hydrochloric acid when it forms an aqueous solution with water, fills this role nicely. Hydrogen chloride’s role in the water treatment process is to lower the pH of basic (alkaline) water. When water is too alkaline, corrosion in pipes and equipment occurs, and, more significantly, the health of anyone drinking the water is negatively affected. Elevated pH levels also causes scale formations in water treatment equipment, eventually lead to pinhole leaks in copper pipes, decrease water heater efficiency, and stain porcelain.

If you are concerned about the pH balance of your water, specifically if your water is basic, it is important to recognize the signs of alkaline water. Your water will taste bitter, and the telltale blue-green staining caused by the leaching of copper from pipes will be noted on surfaces coming in contact with the water. To remedy this situation, hydrogen chloride is a dependable acid with many benefits. While other strong acids are available, the water treatment chemical, hydrochloric acid, is the least hazardous to handle, the most stable during storage (concentrations of HCl in water remain more constant than other acids), is available as a pure reagent, and it contains non-toxic and non-reactive chloride ions.

To keep your water treatment equipment safe, check the pH frequently. When a strong acid is necessary to counteract a basic pH, rely on hydrogen chloride to work quickly and effectively. If you’re looking for water treatment chemicals or a water treatment chemical supplier, contact Bell Chem at 407-339-BELL (2355) today.