Sulfur and sulfuric acid
Sulfuric Acid 93–98% — Concentrated H2SO4 for Process Industries
FOB Black Sea / MENA · CFR/CIF worldwide on request
Key parameters
Full specification
| H2SO4 (sulfuric acid) | 93.0–98.0% |
| Ash | 0.05% max |
| Iron (Fe) | 50 ppm max |
| Lead (Pb) | 10 ppm max |
| Appearance | Clear oily liquid, colourless to pale yellow |
| Density (at stated conc.) | 1.830–1.840 g/cm³ at 20 °C |
| Free SO3 (at 98% grade) | Trace, per origin COA |
| Process type | Contact process (DCDA) |
| HS code | 2807.00 |
Full product details
Product overview
Sulfuric acid is the highest-volume industrial chemical worldwide — no other single compound matches its tonnage in global trade. Concentrated grades at 93–98% H2SO4 serve as the primary reagent in wet-process phosphoric acid manufacture, copper and zinc hydrometallurgical leaching, petroleum alkylation, titanium dioxide pigment production and lead-acid battery electrolyte formulation. Our export grade delivers clear oily liquid appearance with iron capped at 50 ppm and ash at 0.05% max, suitable for phosphate attack circuits where metal contamination would colour the downstream acid.
Merchant acid originates from contact-process plants burning elemental sulfur or recovering SO2 from non-ferrous smelters across CIS, North Africa and the Middle East. Typical buyers include integrated fertilizer complexes securing merchant acid when own sulfur-burning units run at reduced rates, independent phosphoric acid producers without captive sulfur supply, mining operators running heap-leach or agitated-leach circuits, and industrial consumers requiring consistent H2SO4 strength for water-treatment or metal-pickling formulations.
Concentrated sulfuric above 93% is hygroscopic — it absorbs atmospheric moisture on exposure, diluting strength and generating heat. Receivers dilute to working concentration (typically 70–78% for phosphate rock attack) at the plant site. HS code 2807.00. UN 1830 (Class 8 corrosive).
Loading ports & logistics
Concentrated sulfuric acid requires dedicated acid-compatible handling at every stage — standard dry bulk carriers and unlined carbon steel ISO tanks below 93% concentration cannot safely receive this cargo without prior passivation assessment. We coordinate three principal delivery modes depending on parcel size and receiver infrastructure.
Carbon steel ISO tank containers hold approximately 21–24 MT net per unit and suit multi-modal routes to inland fertilizer and mining plants with dedicated acid unloading bays. Ideal for parcels of 100–500 MT assembled from multiple tank units on FOB Black Sea or MENA origins. Each unit must carry a previous-cargo certificate confirming no water, alkali or organic residue.
Dedicated acid road tankers and coastal chemical tankers move parcels of 500–3,000 MT on short-sea routes between refinery terminals and Mediterranean, Red Sea or Indian Ocean discharge ports. Carbon steel or 316L stainless cargo tanks are standard for concentrated acid above 93%; nitrogen blanket may be applied during extended storage to limit moisture uptake.
Parcel chemical tankers handle larger industrial contracts above 3,000 MT on long-haul routes to dedicated acid jetties in India, Turkey, West Africa and Southeast Asia. FOB loading at exporter-nominated chemical berth; CFR and CIF quotes include tank freight, marine insurance and discharge-port compatibility check before firm offer. Typical lead time 14–28 days from contract execution to loading window.
Packaging & documentation
Cargo ships as liquid H2SO4 in carbon steel ISO tank containers, dedicated acid road tankers or parcel chemical tankers — no drummed form exists for bulk merchant grade at 93%+. Each lot is accompanied by a mill certificate of analysis showing H2SO4 concentration, iron, ash and lead results, safety data sheet (SDS) per GHS, commercial invoice, tank list, bill of lading and certificate of origin. Concentration is confirmed by density measurement converted to H2SO4 percentage via calibrated hydrometer, with titration against NaOH standard on the COA.
Third-party inspection (SGS, Bureau Veritas or equivalent) at loading can be arranged on buyer request. Tank cleanliness and previous-cargo certificate are mandatory before ISO reload; we issue cleaning confirmation with the shipping instructions package. IMO Class 8 corrosive documentation and emergency response guide (ERG) are included with every shipment.
FAQ
What H2SO4 concentration do wet-process phosphoric acid plants typically order?
Merchant buyers specify 93–98% H2SO4 and dilute in-plant to 70–78% for phosphate rock attack. Higher concentration reduces water freight on long-haul tank routes; the exact grade within the band depends on origin plant output and receiver dilution capacity.
Which tank materials are approved for concentrated sulfuric acid above 93%?
Carbon steel is the industry standard for storage and transport above 93% H2SO4 — the acid passivates the steel surface. Below 93%, sulfuric becomes aggressively corrosive to unalloyed steel; receivers must confirm tank lining or alloy grade before accepting diluted parcels.
Related products
- Phosphoric Acid — downstream product from sulfuric acid attack on phosphate rock
- Phosphate Rock — upstream feedstock consumed in wet-process acid circuits
- Ammonium Sulphate — nitrogen-sulfur fertilizer from the sulfur value chain