hydrochloric acid (HCl) A clear, colorless, fuming, poisonous, highly acidic, aqueous solution of hydrogen chloride, HCl. A saturated solution of HCl contains about 43% HCl and gives a constant-boiling mixture. It is extremely corrosive and handled in glass or plastic equipment or in apparatus using special alloys (tantalum, nickel-molybdenum). Hydrochloric acid is used in petroleum production, as a chemical intermediate, in ore reduction, food processing, pickling, and metal cleaning. It was formerly known as "spirits of salt". Related category • INORGANIC CHEMISTRY Also on this site: Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living Encyclopedia of History Transport Concepts & Designs (partner site) |