Re: Aqua Regia Definition and Warning

["Wendell Rahorst" <rahorst@home.com>]

I would like to add:

Hydrochloric acid is a reducing acid and nitric acid is a oxidizing acid.
Because of this a considerable amount of heat is generated when these acids
are mixed.  I have witnessed runaway reactions that have caused the  mixed
solution to boil if mixing is is not done gradually.  The mixing of these
items is best accomplished in an ice bath.

Wendell Rahorst, CIH
President
Quan'Fit, L.L.C.
E-mail rahorst@quanfit.com
Webpage http://www.quanfit.com








----- Original Message -----
From: Michael Kay <makay@teleport.com>
To: Multiple recipients of list <radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu>
Sent: Thursday, April 29, 1999 12:30 AM
Subject: Aqua Regia Definition and Warning


> Aqua Regia is a mixture of concentrated nitric and hydrochloric acids. It
gets its name
> from the property of being the mineral acid mixture that will dissolve
gold. Zumdahl's
> General Chemistry Text gives the ratio as 1 part concentrated nitric acid
to 3 parts
> concentrated hydrochloric acid. This mixture is very potent, and may
release fumes of
> chlorine from oxidation of Cl^- (chloride ion) to chlorine. Use a hood and
face shield!
> Use of Aqua Regia would be a "Procedure Requiring Special Authorization"
under a
> Chemical Hygiene Plan (29CFR1910.1450).
>
> Michael A. Kay, ScD, CHMM
> makay@teleport.com
>
> Warren Church wrote:
>
> > It may be the same as Aqua Regia which I believe is a mixture of
sulfuric and nitric
> > acids.
> >
> > Paul R. Steinmeyer wrote:
> >
> > > Hello Radsafers;
> > >
> > > Does anyone out there have any information on what "King's solution"
is?  It was
> > > recommended to us for dissolving stainless steel to determine absolute
activity
> > > of the contamination present.
> > >
> > > Any information would be appreciated.  To avoid cluttering up the
list, feel free
> > > to respond directly to me instead of the list.
> > >
> > > Thanks in advance,
> > >
> > > Paul R. Steinmeyer
> > > Health Physicist
> > > Radiation Safety Associates, Inc.
> > > RSA Laboratories, Inc.
> > >
> > >
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