Hello.This question is purely hypothetical.I have a a couple of drums full of a used sulphuric acid solution. They‘re both 45 gallons and were used to dissolve a large amount of extra meat I had in my house. How do I dispose or neutralize this acidic solution? I‘m worried that it will dissolve my plumping if I dump it down my drain.
Sulfuric acid is indeed a great way to dispose of meat, though pigs are more efficient. Not all of us have pigs though. The most important thing is to make sure you dispose of it at night, preferably in an extremely low-traffic area. Wooded areas are really best, and if you can find a nice hill to roll the barrels down, you will save yourself a whole lot of trouble. If you do decide to dispose of the barrels as well, be sure to use gloves and bring a few rags with which to wipe away any fingerprints.
Waste Disposal: Sulfuric acid may be placed in sealed container or absorbed in vermiculite, dry sand, earth, or a similar material. It may also be diluted and neutralized. Be sure to consult with local or regional authorities (waste regulators) prior to any disposal. Waste must be disposed of in accordance with federal, state and local environmental control regulations.
First, the answer given by Soc the Vote is a very good answer and correct. However, there are other options. Here in farm country where we have huge beds of lime stone exposed and lots of crushed limestone I'd make my own Ca SO4 to use as a soil sweetener instead of lime because it is softer and easier to crush gypsum than limestone. Just pour the acid on the limestone and let the reaction take place. A soil sweetener raises the pH of the soil. Organic decay lowers the pH of the soil as do mineral oxides and artificial fertilizers. You can see this happening when a plant called sour grass begins to flourish in your fields. You know then without soil testing that it is time to spread lime to raise the pH of your soil.
