Nitric Acid → Zinc Nitrate

Participants

Reaction Steps

For use in preparing the aforementioned 15-0-0-5Zn solution, zinc nitrate solution containing about 16.5% zinc may be obtained commercially or prepared by reaction of metallic zinc or zinc oxide with nitric acid and introducing sufficient water to the reaction mixture to provide a zinc nitrate product solution containing about 16.5% zinc (47.8% zinc nitrate). This is accomplished by adding commercially available granular zinc oxide (containing about 80% zinc ) to a mixture of water and commercial strength (about 55%) nitric acid solution in a vessel provided with agitation and means for temperature control, e.g., coil(s) for steam heating and water cooling, together with a temperature sensing device. Typically, a 10 part batch of said zinc nitrate solution is prepared by adding to the reaction vessel about 5.8 parts of 55% nitric acid and 2.1 parts of water. After thorough mixing, granular zinc oxide is added over a period of about 15 to 30 minutes, accompanied by vigorous agitation. Once vigorous reaction has begun and during the period that it is self-sustaining, cooling is employed to maintain a reaction mix temperature of around 140° to 180° F. The rate of addition of zinc oxide granules is governed by the ability to maintain such temperature. The total reaction, generally requiring around 30-45 minutes, is usually deemed complete when substantially no particles of unreacted zinc oxide remain in the reaction mixture and the pH of said mixture has risen from about 0 to about 2 to 3.

Provenance & Evidence