What is Phosphoric Acid?
Chemical Formula: H₃PO₄
Appearance: Colorless, odorless, viscous liquid
Nature: Strong acid, non-volatile, highly soluble in water
Grades Available:
- Food Grade – used in beverages and food
- Technical/Industrial Grade – used in fertilizers and chemicals
- Major Uses of Phosphoric Acid in Industry
Fertilizer Industry (Largest Use)
- Monoammonium phosphate (MAP)
- Diammonium phosphate (DAP)
- Triple superphosphate (TSP)
- Provides essential phosphorus for plant growth.
Key raw material for phosphate fertilizers like:
Food & Beverage Industry
- Acidulant in soft drinks, jams, and sauces
- Flavor enhancer
- pH control agent in food processing
Food grade phosphoric acid is used as:
Chemical Industry
- Produces phosphate salts used in detergents and cleaning products
- Raw material for specialty chemicals like phosphates, deflocculants, and water treatment chemicals
Metal Treatment & Surface Coating
- Used in metal cleaning, rust removal, and pickling
- Acts as a base for phosphate coatings to protect metals from corrosion
Pharmaceuticals
- Used as an intermediate in medicines and oral solutions
- Used in production of calcium and sodium phosphate for medicinal purposes
Water Treatment
- Used for pH control, scale inhibition, and corrosion prevention in industrial water systems
Other Industrial Uses
- Production of detergents and cleaning agents
- Ingredient in electronics industry for cleaning and etching
- Used in flame retardants and animal feed additives
Safety Note
- Highly corrosive; causes burns on contact
- Should be handled with proper PPE
- Transported in HDPE drums, IBCs, or tankers depending on grade