Definition and Areas of Use: Boric acid, also boraceous acid, orthoboric acid or acidium borium; a white crystalline, water-soluble inorganic acid generally used in antiseptics, insecticides and deodorizers. It was first discovered by Wilhelm Homberg and emerged as a by-product of sulfuric acid.
Production of boric acid from colemanite
In Turkey, boric acid is produced from colemanite. Etibank is responsible for its production. The production process basically consists of reacting colemanite with sulfuric acid. As shown below, gypsum and boric acid are formed as a result of the reaction. The gypsum formed during production causes environmental pollution.
Ca2B6O11.5H2O + 2H2SO4 + 6H2O → 2CaSO4. 2H2O + 6H3BO3
In production, first of all, colemanite is ground in mills so that its size is <0.2 mm. Ground colemanite is put into solution by reacting with sulfuric acid. This reaction takes place at 80-100 oC.