Q. What is Acid cleaning compounds?

Acid-based cleaners like phosphoric acid and hydrofluoric acid are commonly used. They are very useful in removing minimal scales that are dried on or encrusted on equipments or utensils surfaces. They are especially good at removing mineral deposits on metal surfaces. The acid cleaners dissolve the minerals in the deposits so that they can be easily removed.

Organic acids, such as citric acid, tartaric acid are also used as cleaning compounds and are excellent water softeners, rinse off easily and do not corrode surfaces or irritate the skin. Inorganic acids, though excellent at removing and controlling mineral deposits, can be very corrosive to surfaces and irritating to the skin. These are used for special cleaning purposes, and are comparatively less effective against the soil caused by fats, oils and proteins.

Like the alkaline cleaning compounds, acid cleaning compounds can also be classified into strongly acid cleaners and mildly acid cleaners. The strongly acid cleaners corrode concrete, most metals and fabrics. Further, if heated, it produces corrosive and toxic gases, which can damage the lungs. However, they are very effective cleaning agents. They remove encrusted surface matter and mineral scale from stem equipment, boilers and some food-processing equipment.

The most commonly used strong acid cleaner is phosphoric acid, as it works well with many surfactants and is not very corrosive. Hydrofluoric acid is another acid cleaner, however, it is corrosive to stainless steel and dangerous to handle because it tends to release hydrogen gas.