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In our new house, we found that a previous owner installed a sump pump battery backup unit, which is nice. The battery in the system is like a car battery, but it's the kind where you initially add sulfuric acid to, and then periodically top off with distilled water.

However, the owner left behind the container of leftover sulfuric acid. The manual for the battery system says to never add more acid to the battery, only water.

So, what should I do with this acid?

  • Is it dangerous to keep in the basement? Will it emit bad vapor?
  • Can I keep it in case I need more if I buy a new battery in 5 years?
  • Should I dispose of it? How?
Brock Adams
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The Other Steven
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4 Answers4

7

If you can not find someone to take care of the acid for you, it is possible for you to dispose of it yourself. this page which references batterycouncil.org which most discreetly describes the process outlined here that states:

  1. Gather together all the acid you need to dispose of and put on some sort of concrete pad. The high acidity may harm grass and soil, so try to do this in your driveway or on the patio outside. If you have batteries to dispose of, pour the acid out of the battery into a plastic container that will not break down in acid. If you are unsure, pour just a little in the container and see if there is any reaction before emptying the whole battery.

  2. Use rubber gloves and goggles anytime you are dealing with highly concentrated acids. Acid is harmful to the skin if exposed and especially to the eyes. If concentrated acid touches the skin, thoroughly wash the skin for five to ten minutes and then sprinkle with baking soda to neutralize any remaining acid.

  3. Fill a larger container half full of water. Slowly add some of the acid that needs to be disposed of and stir gently. Slowly add the baking soda, one tablespoon at time. The solution in the container will bubble and foam as the baking soda neutralizes the acid. Continue to stir as you add each tablespoon full. Once the bubbling and foaming is complete, test the solution by adding another teaspoon of the baking soda with stirring to see if any more reaction occurs.. When the reaction is complete, wash the solution down the drain and refill the container half way with water.

  4. Neutralize all the acid in the same manner as Step 3. Pour the neutralized acid down the drain. Follow the neutralized acid with lots of water. Continue to run the hose for five minutes after you are done and then turn off the water.

ShoeMaker
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I'm going to second mikes advice about wearing rubber gloves and safety glasses, especially if you can't guarantee that the container is properly sealed. If you get any on you, simply flush with lots of water, and apply a paste of baking soda and water to neutralize (I would flush first while someone else mixes the paste). For transport, just make sure that you have something that will keep it from tipping over.

OK, now to the reason I answered: places that you can take it.

The easiest is if your town or city sponsors a hazardous waste day or provides a hazardous waste dropoff (more likely in a large city). Call first to ensure that they take acids. Most will, especially acids that are commonly used in home improvement, such as sulfuric and hydrochloric (aka muriatic).

If you have a relationship with a repair shop, you can call and see if they'll take it (for use with batteries). They probably won't, and a stranger definitely won't, but it's worth asking.

A metal plating shop is another possibility. They probably won't accept it for use, but might dump it into their waste drum for a nominal charge.

Finally, if mikes scared you, there's Clean Harbors or similar companies. They'll come to your house and scare you even more, and you'll pay through the nose. But it will be gone.

kdgregory
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Remove it from the basement while wearing safety glasses and rubber gloves and a rubber rain coat if you have one.If you can get a plastic storage container store it out side in that.You can try an auto supply store or battery specialtyshop to see if they will take it or anyplace that recycles metal as most take batteries.Some communities have a waste/chemical collection but are typically once a year.Once you find someone to take it then comes the problem of getting it there.You donot want this stuff inside of your car.Try to find someone with pickup or trailer.

mikes
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Google household items with a high ph then dilute and sulfuric add together until the color changes and starts to get thicker then dump it down the drain this is ok at this stage it is not acid anymore it's called neutralizing I am a metal finisher I've been breaking down sulfuric acid for a long time this will be easy and not scary at all just dilute first and always add acid to water.

Andrew
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