As one does every 20 years or so, I can across a HUGE bag of something
called 'Phosphoric Acid' which I obviously bought for some use, but what was
it used for?

When I first saw the bag the words 'growmore' came to mind, but bearing in
mind the reliability of my memory it could be anything!

So, what sould I be using it for?

Alan

In article LGvMn.28769$9J1.20264@hurricane,
alan.holmes wrote:
As one does every 20 years or so, I can across a HUGE bag of something
called 'Phosphoric Acid' which I obviously bought for some use, but what was
it used for?

Dissolving human bones and teeth after you have turned the rest of
their bodies into meat pies.

When I first saw the bag the words 'growmore' came to mind, but bearing in
mind the reliability of my memory it could be anything!

Growmore is an ordinary NPK (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium) fertiliser.
Phosphoric acid is just a source of phosphorus.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

wrote in message
...
In article LGvMn.28769$9J1.20264@hurricane,
alan.holmes wrote:
As one does every 20 years or so, I can across a HUGE bag of something
called 'Phosphoric Acid' which I obviously bought for some use, but what
was
it used for?

Dissolving human bones and teeth after you have turned the rest of
their bodies into meat pies.

Interesting, but I somehow do not think I would have bought it dissolve
parts of bodies, I'm sure it would have been bought to use in the garden,
but what for?

Alan



When I first saw the bag the words 'growmore' came to mind, but bearing in
mind the reliability of my memory it could be anything!

Growmore is an ordinary NPK (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium) fertiliser.
Phosphoric acid is just a source of phosphorus.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

On 30 May, 22:09, "alan.holmes" wrote:
wrote in message

...

In article LGvMn.28769$9J1.20264@hurricane,
alan.holmes wrote:
As one does every 20 years or so, I can across a HUGE bag of something
called 'Phosphoric Acid' which I obviously bought for some use, but what
was
it used for?


SUPERPHOSPHATE
One of the standard fertilizer products, superphosphate was the first â
€œartificialâ€� to be produced in quantity. Rock phosphate and raw
bones were known to be sources of phosphate but this was present in an
insoluble or unavailable form.

Rock phosphate is crushed and treated with sulphuric acid to convert
it to the soluble form. By law the amount of phosphate in a product is
defined as % phosphoric acid and the statement must confirm its
solubility in water and other chemical reagents. A bi-product of this
process is calcium sulphate, which occurs naturally in gypsum.
Superphosphate produced this way is called single superphosphate
containing 17-19% phosphoric acid (P205), which is soluble in water.
It is typically prepared as a powder, but sources of this are drying
up in favour of triple superphosphate.

In agriculture triple superphosphate is much preferred being more
concentrated containing 44-46% (P205). This is achieved by treatment
of the phosphate rock with raw phosphoric acid, hence the higher
concentration. It is prepared as a prill or pellet which makes it
easier to mechanically apply to farmlands it does not contain any
substantial amounts of sulphur as single superphosphate does.

The primary use for superphosphate is in compound fertilizers, and the
fine powder form in composts. It is best applied in Autumn/Winter and
is most suitable for root crops. It is quicker acting then bone meal
and has a mild acidic action on the soil. Rate of use 2-4 oz./sq.yd.

Triple superphosphate is a more economical form being nearly 3 times
stronger and should be used with caution at 1-2 oz./sq/yd.

As with all phosphatic fertilizers do not over apply for fear that
excess will lock up trace elements.

On Sun, 30 May 2010 22:09:26 +0100, alan.holmes
wrote:


wrote in message
...
In article LGvMn.28769$9J1.20264@hurricane,
alan.holmes wrote:
As one does every 20 years or so, I can across a HUGE bag of something
called 'Phosphoric Acid' which I obviously bought for some use, but
what
was
it used for?

Dissolving human bones and teeth after you have turned the rest of
their bodies into meat pies.

Interesting, but I somehow do not think I would have bought it dissolve
parts of bodies, I'm sure it would have been bought to use in the garden,
but what for?



Phosphoric Acid is a constituent of Coca Cola and other similar drinks,
added to give it the 'bite'.
Yes, it does rot your teeth.

Thanks for that it is most helpful, which makes a change to the efforts of
others who have made comments.

I was under the impression that it was some sort of fertiliser, but it is so
long since I last used it I had forgotten how to use it.

Thanks again.

Alan


"Dave Hill" wrote in message
...
On 30 May, 22:09, "alan.holmes" wrote:
wrote in message

...

In article LGvMn.28769$9J1.20264@hurricane,
alan.holmes wrote:
As one does every 20 years or so, I can across a HUGE bag of something
called 'Phosphoric Acid' which I obviously bought for some use, but what
was
it used for?


SUPERPHOSPHATE
One of the standard fertilizer products, superphosphate was the first â
€œartificialâ€� to be produced in quantity. Rock phosphate and raw
bones were known to be sources of phosphate but this was present in an
insoluble or unavailable form.

Rock phosphate is crushed and treated with sulphuric acid to convert
it to the soluble form. By law the amount of phosphate in a product is
defined as % phosphoric acid and the statement must confirm its
solubility in water and other chemical reagents. A bi-product of this
process is calcium sulphate, which occurs naturally in gypsum.
Superphosphate produced this way is called single superphosphate
containing 17-19% phosphoric acid (P205), which is soluble in water.
It is typically prepared as a powder, but sources of this are drying
up in favour of triple superphosphate.

In agriculture triple superphosphate is much preferred being more
concentrated containing 44-46% (P205). This is achieved by treatment
of the phosphate rock with raw phosphoric acid, hence the higher
concentration. It is prepared as a prill or pellet which makes it
easier to mechanically apply to farmlands it does not contain any
substantial amounts of sulphur as single superphosphate does.

The primary use for superphosphate is in compound fertilizers, and the
fine powder form in composts. It is best applied in Autumn/Winter and
is most suitable for root crops. It is quicker acting then bone meal
and has a mild acidic action on the soil. Rate of use 2-4 oz./sq.yd.

Triple superphosphate is a more economical form being nearly 3 times
stronger and should be used with caution at 1-2 oz./sq/yd.

As with all phosphatic fertilizers do not over apply for fear that
excess will lock up trace elements.

"RG" wrote in message
news
On Sun, 30 May 2010 22:09:26 +0100, alan.holmes
wrote:


wrote in message
...
In article LGvMn.28769$9J1.20264@hurricane,
alan.holmes wrote:
As one does every 20 years or so, I can across a HUGE bag of something
called 'Phosphoric Acid' which I obviously bought for some use, but
what
was
it used for?

Dissolving human bones and teeth after you have turned the rest of
their bodies into meat pies.

Interesting, but I somehow do not think I would have bought it dissolve
parts of bodies, I'm sure it would have been bought to use in the garden,
but what for?



Phosphoric Acid is a constituent of Coca Cola and other similar drinks,
added to give it the 'bite'.
Yes, it does rot your teeth.

I wonder why you bothered to send an article which is so childish and
stupid.

In article i5OMn.15545$jM2.2951@hurricane,
alan.holmes wrote:

Thanks for that it is most helpful, which makes a change to the efforts of
others who have made comments.

I was under the impression that it was some sort of fertiliser, but it is so
long since I last used it I had forgotten how to use it.

If you had read the second part of my posting, you would have seen
that I did say that it was a phosphoric fertiliser! Yes, of course,
the Sweeney Todd allusion was a joke.

I have no idea why you have phosphoric acid rather than the more
usual calcium phosphate (which was later superseded by superphosphate),
but phosphorus is phosphorus.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

"alan.holmes" wrote in message
news:LGvMn.28769$9J1.20264@hurricane...
As one does every 20 years or so, I can across a HUGE bag of something
called 'Phosphoric Acid' which I obviously bought for some use, but what
was it used for?

When I first saw the bag the words 'growmore' came to mind, but bearing in
mind the reliability of my memory it could be anything!

So, what sould I be using it for?

IIRC phosphoric acid can be used to etch glass - although a customised
grenhouse seems a little OTT :-)

However this would be a liquid, not a solid.

On Mon, 31 May 2010 13:40:00 +0100, alan.holmes
wrote:


"RG" wrote in message
news
On Sun, 30 May 2010 22:09:26 +0100, alan.holmes
wrote:


wrote in message
...
In article LGvMn.28769$9J1.20264@hurricane,
alan.holmes wrote:
As one does every 20 years or so, I can across a HUGE bag of
something
called 'Phosphoric Acid' which I obviously bought for some use, but
what
was
it used for?

Dissolving human bones and teeth after you have turned the rest of
their bodies into meat pies.

Interesting, but I somehow do not think I would have bought it dissolve
parts of bodies, I'm sure it would have been bought to use in the
garden,
but what for?



Phosphoric Acid is a constituent of Coca Cola and other similar drinks,
added to give it the 'bite'.
Yes, it does rot your teeth.

I wonder why you bothered to send an article which is so childish and
stupid.


I find your comment rather strange, since my reply was entirely serious
and factually correct.

Another possible garden use for phosphoric aid is to clean concrete paths,
but in a stronger concentration than Coke.

On Mon, 31 May 2010 15:08:19 +0100, David WE Roberts
wrote:


"alan.holmes" wrote in message
news:LGvMn.28769$9J1.20264@hurricane...
As one does every 20 years or so, I can across a HUGE bag of something
called 'Phosphoric Acid' which I obviously bought for some use, but
what was it used for?

When I first saw the bag the words 'growmore' came to mind, but bearing
in mind the reliability of my memory it could be anything!

So, what sould I be using it for?

IIRC phosphoric acid can be used to etch glass - although a customised
grenhouse seems a little OTT :-)

However this would be a liquid, not a solid.

YDRC.
A very strong solution will certainly etch glass.

On Mon, 31 May 2010 15:36:41 +0100, RG wrote:

On Mon, 31 May 2010 15:08:19 +0100, David WE Roberts
wrote:


"alan.holmes" wrote in message
news:LGvMn.28769$9J1.20264@hurricane...
As one does every 20 years or so, I can across a HUGE bag of something
called 'Phosphoric Acid' which I obviously bought for some use, but
what was it used for?

When I first saw the bag the words 'growmore' came to mind, but bearing
in mind the reliability of my memory it could be anything!

So, what sould I be using it for?

IIRC phosphoric acid can be used to etch glass - although a customised
grenhouse seems a little OTT :-)

However this would be a liquid, not a solid.

YDRC.
A very strong solution will certainly etch glass.


And can be used as a rust-remover


http://www.42gpw.com/acid.html


--
(¯`·. ®óñ© © ²°¹° .·´¯)

"RG" wrote in message
news
On Mon, 31 May 2010 15:08:19 +0100, David WE Roberts
wrote:


"alan.holmes" wrote in message
news:LGvMn.28769$9J1.20264@hurricane...
As one does every 20 years or so, I can across a HUGE bag of something
called 'Phosphoric Acid' which I obviously bought for some use, but
what was it used for?

When I first saw the bag the words 'growmore' came to mind, but bearing
in mind the reliability of my memory it could be anything!

So, what sould I be using it for?

IIRC phosphoric acid can be used to etch glass - although a customised
grenhouse seems a little OTT :-)

However this would be a liquid, not a solid.

YDRC.
A very strong solution will certainly etch glass.

Do you have a reliable reference for this, please? Google most certainly
comes up with quite a few hits for "phosphoric acid" and "etch glass", but I
have been through the first 40 and found nothing which substantiates that
statement unequivocally. I have always understood that the only chemicals
which attack glass are (1) hydrofluoric acid (2) strong alkalis.

--

Jeff

In article ,
Jeff Layman wrote:
"RG" wrote in message
news

A very strong solution will certainly etch glass.

Do you have a reliable reference for this, please? Google most certainly
comes up with quite a few hits for "phosphoric acid" and "etch glass", but I
have been through the first 40 and found nothing which substantiates that
statement unequivocally. I have always understood that the only chemicals
which attack glass are (1) hydrofluoric acid (2) strong alkalis.

That is definitely wrong. Glass is etched naturally in the soil, for
a start.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

wrote:
If you had read the second part of my posting, you would have seen
that I did say that it was a phosphoric fertiliser! Yes, of course,
the Sweeney Todd allusion was a joke.

I don't know, wasn't Alan asking earlier about suspiciously large sized
chest freezers ... ?

;-)