Chemgineer
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Nitric acid from ammonium nitrate and sodium bisulfate
I normally produce nitric acid by dry distilling magnesium nitrate with sodium bisulfate and it works quite well to produce around 50% concentration.
I was experimenting with using some ammonium nitrate as I happen to have some of it, this time I used a 200g of it in 200ml of water and then added
300g of sodium bisulfate.
This worked but it foamed constantly and was a pain, even blocking the neck of the flask towards the end.
Would it be better to dry distil in the same way as I have done above?
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andyloris
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Don't forget that ammonium nitrate decomposes explosively at high temperatures !
I don't think a dry distillation would be a good idea.
Always trust your first idea, especially if you only have one.
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Chemgineer
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I can't make my mind up on whether this would be safe not and have a respect for ammonium nitrate so for the time being have put this on hold.
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Sir_Gawain
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Even with the low temperature method (AN&sulfuric acid) the ammonium nitrate decomposes to some extent, diluting the acid. I've only been able to
achieve 85% nitric acid with ammonium nitrate, while the same sulfuric acid with sodium nitrate produced 99%.
“Alchemy is trying to turn things yellow; chemistry is trying to avoid things turning yellow.” -Tom deP.
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