Best storage bottles for 4% HCL

Greetings,

I just joined and this is my first attempt at producing a DIY product. I recently bought a quart of 37% which arrived in a plastic bottle with 2 clear bags tywrapped around it. I've yet to disturb it but apparently it is gassing off as there's condensation now in the bags. So I need to get the ball rolling and I guess the best thing to do is just dilute the entire quart. I didn't realize the rather large quantity I'd end up with at first. But we intend to use it for bathing, etc so perhaps it won't go to waste. I'm assuming that storage becomes considerably easier once diluted to 4%. So I'm looking at a final volume of around 2 gallons to bottle up.

I believe I have a case of flip top 16oz beer bottles stashed from the home brewing days. They have the usual porcelain tops with red rubber seals. So I'm wondering if a source exist for replacement Viton seals. I did some research and that's about the only rubber rated for HCL. My question is will the 4% damage the existing red rubber seals over say a year storage? Are there any common bottles that are known to be stable storing this?

Many thanks in advance,
DD

dieseldude wrote:

Greetings,

I just joined and this is my first attempt at producing a DIY product. I recently bought a quart of 37% which arrived in a plastic bottle with 2 clear bags tywrapped around it. I've yet to disturb it but apparently it is gassing off as there's condensation now in the bags. So I need to get the ball rolling and I guess the best thing to do is just dilute the entire quart. I didn't realize the rather large quantity I'd end up with at first. But we intend to use it for bathing, etc so perhaps it won't go to waste. I'm assuming that storage becomes considerably easier once diluted to 4%. So I'm looking at a final volume of around 2 gallons to bottle up.

I believe I have a case of flip top 16oz beer bottles stashed from the home brewing days. They have the usual porcelain tops with red rubber seals. So I'm wondering if a source exist for replacement Viton seals. I did some research and that's about the only rubber rated for HCL. My question is will the 4% damage the existing red rubber seals over say a year storage? Are there any common bottles that are known to be stable storing this?

Many thanks in advance,
DD

My favorite HCL concentration is 0%. HCL is very dangerous to handle at high concentrations. Even if you double or triple enclose it, HCL will escape and damage anything metallic, including stainless steel, that is nearby. 

The only HCL I now keep is a 4% 2 fl oz bottle in a fridge, as I no longer use HCL. 

HCL 4% will last about 3 years, then loses potency. 

The main issue is that hydrochloric acid fumes eat away at most rubbers and metals. Even at 4%, your beer bottle seals won’t hold up for long. Better to get HDPE chemical bottles (the white plastic type) they’re what manufacturers use for storage, and they’ll save you trouble in the long run.

sarataylor wrote:

The main issue is that hydrochloric acid fumes eat away at most rubbers and metals. Even at 4%, your beer bottle seals won’t hold up for long. Better to get HDPE chemical bottles (the white plastic type) they’re what manufacturers use for storage, and they’ll save you trouble in the long run.
 

Great. You mean I should have just left it in their original plastic bottles and not transferred it to glass bottles....

stu77000 wrote:

sarataylor wrote:

The main issue is that hydrochloric acid fumes eat away at most rubbers and metals. Even at 4%, your beer bottle seals won’t hold up for long. Better to get HDPE chemical bottles (the white plastic type) they’re what manufacturers use for storage, and they’ll save you trouble in the long run.

 

Great. You mean I should have just left it in their original plastic bottles and not transferred it to glass bottles....

HCL will dissolve the silicone ring seal on those glass beer bottles. There is an answer for which bottle to use, that is not made from plastic. This bottle is all glass including the stopper (cap). They also work for making CDS, but you may need to polish the glass stopper-to-bottle "joint".