How to dispose of Sulphuric Acid mix?

[Tiggy_dorset]

I have been recently electro stripping nickel from copper using a Sulphuric solution. I now have a 25 litre drum of waste acid wich obviously contains traces of the nickel and copper from the stripping process. What is the best procedure for its disposal.... Im not looking to dump it in some hidden backwater or anything, Id like it gone legitimately.

Any Thoughts? Thanks.

Ps. The ratio of the solution was 500ml of (battery acid, about 30% concentration?) Sulphuric acid, to 8 litres of water, if that helps

 

[voipio]

The waste is not particularly hazardous, but just dumping it would not be good. This link may be useful:

https://www.dorsetforyou.com/chemicals
.

 

[Tiggy_dorset]

I did spot that page, the nearest companies would be Blandford or Wimbourne. I will likely give them a call. I wanted to see if there were any alternatives from you guys first before being stung on price from companies, for such a small quantity.
Another thought is perhaps chatting to my local platers, maybe they will add it to their waste for a small fee.

 

[Pete.]

Your local car dismantler must have facilities for recovering sulphuric acid from batteries. Why not head down there with £20.

 

[gordon stephenson]

I use sulphuric acid for cleaning the scale or rust from mild steel, Keep it in a plastic under bed type storage box, metal in for a couple of days, remove and rinse off. lovely job done, I have also used it to clean my discoloured concrete drive, pour it on, brush it around and leave it to dry, Works a treat, every time it rains it reactivates and keeps improving the drive for months.
usual disclaimer, take care if you attempt any of these tasks,
P.S. if you lived closer i would love to take it off your hands,

 

[the snooper]

baking soda but you may need quite a bit

 

[colnerov]

I don't think it's the acid as much as the Nickel that's the problem. As said you can neutralise the acid,but dealing with the Nickel is different as it's classed as hazardous.

 

[the snooper]

I use sulphuric acid for cleaning the scale or rust from mild steel, Keep it in a plastic under bed type storage box, metal in for a couple of days, remove and rinse off. lovely job done, I have also used it to clean my discoloured concrete drive, pour it on, brush it around and leave it to dry, Works a treat, every time it rains it reactivates and keeps improving the drive for months.
usual disclaimer, take care if you attempt any of these tasks,
P.S. if you lived closer i would love to take it of your hands,

doesnt it destroy the carpet in your car being transferred via footware

 

[Tiggy_dorset]

I don't think it's the acid as much as the Nickel that's the problem. As said you can neutralise the acid,but dealing with the Nickel is different as it's classed as hazardous.

^^^ That

I have read aout neutralising it then apparently being safe to pour down the drain, but the nickel and copper content was more of the concern to me.
I am flat out with work for next couple of weeks, after that the local platers will be my first port of call. They may be able to advise me the best way of disposal if they dont wish to take it on themselves.

I will post up how I get on for anyones curiosity.

 

[awemawson]

You might find that the dissolved nickel and copper have a significant value - neither are cheap metals - try plating them out onto less noble metal electrodes, then when finished neutralise the sulphuric acid with some fresh cement powder. Acid plus Base goes to Salt plus water if I remember my school chemistry from many decades ago.

 

[julianf]

The amount of copper in 25ltrs wont be of economic recovery, unless you were next door to a processing plant.

The acid itself could be neutralised with ease (naoh, other wise known as drain cleaner) but copper salts (copper sulphate, i suspect) are fairly toxic to aquatic organisms etc.

 

[awemawson]

Hence removing them by plating them out first

 

[gordon stephenson]

Never had any problem with residue affecting either car or household carpets, Once the acid initially dries its ok. Its also good for removing oil or rust stains caused by metal grinding dust, My eldest son is an agricultural contractor, and used to spray 77% sulphuric for acid desiccation , Seasonal bill for the acid was in the region of £80,000. Probably why I'm so comfortable using it, but still have great respect for its powers and use all necessary safeguards.

 

[Jim_gsxr1000]

Neutralise it with an alkali ?

 

[Maker]

Neutralise it with an alkali ?

The acid isn't really the problem it's the copper and nickle ions. The amount of it in 25 liters probably won't do much harm but this kind of thing (I haven't actually checked this is true of copper an nickle) is usually dangerous to aquatic life and is a bioaccumulator. I think copper kills plants too.

 

[pedrobedro]

. I think copper kills plants too.

Use it as weedkiller then

 

[Tiggy_dorset]

Use it as weedkiller then

Not as silly as it sounds. I will fess-up to using a little of my copper pickling solution a couple of years back for the brambles at the bottom of the garden Worked a bloody treat it did.....The tough blighters still grew back next year though!

 

[Maker]

Not as silly as it sounds. I will fess-up to using a little of my copper pickling solution a couple of years back for the brambles at the bottom of the garden Worked a bloody treat it did.....The tough blighters still grew back next year though!

I know where you should put this then.

 

[Tiggy_dorset]

Just an update as promised...

Went in today to see my local platers. They asked the questions: concentration of the acid, the content within the acid (ie. the stripped nickel and copper) and how much I had to dispose of.
I got the impression, the nickel content was their most concern, but because I had such a small quantity of waste (25 litres) they were happy to dispose of it for me.
They said not to worry about it when I offered cash.

Another winner

 

[Kent]

Just an update as promised...

Went in today to see my local platers. They asked the questions: concentration of the acid, the content within the acid (ie. the stripped nickel and copper) and how much I had to dispose of.
I got the impression, the nickel content was their most concern, but because I had such a small quantity of waste (25 litres) they were happy to dispose of it for me.
They said not to worry about it when I offered cash.

Another winner

A firm to remember to recommend one day perhaps