skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Decomposition of chrysotile asbestos by fluorosulfonic acid

Abstract

The effect of a fluorosulfonic acid (FSO{sub 3}H) aqueous solution on decomposing the chrysotile asbestos fibers was investigated by using FT-IR, XRD, and XPS. From the equilibrium of FSO{sub 3}H in an aqueous medium (FSO{sub 3}H + H{sub 2}O = HF + H{sub 2}SO{sub 4}), the resulting H{sub 2}SO{sub 4} had a strong affinity for the external Mg(OH){sub 2} layers in the tubular, scroll-like chrysotile structure. This acid-base reaction led to the precipitation and lixiviation of MgSO{sub 4}{center_dot}H{sub 2}O, MgO, and Mg{sup 2+} ion. Once the breakage of the outer Mg(OH){sub 2} layers occurred, HF readily diffused into the inner silicious layers and then reacted with silicates, converting them into SiO{sub 2} hydrate and H{sub 2}SiF{sub 6}, while the ionic reaction between lixiviated Mg{sup 2+} and F{sup {minus}} resulted in precipitating MgF{sub 2}, thereby destroying the fibrous nature of the asbestos. An optimum combination of HF and H{sub 2}SO{sub 4} contributed significantly to enhancing the rate of conversion of asbestos into nonfibrous materials in a short treatment time without any physical agitation.

Authors:
; ;  [1]
  1. Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (United States). Dept. of Applied Science
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Brookhaven National Lab. (BNL), Upton, NY (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
599773
DOE Contract Number:  
AC02-76CH00016
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 37; Journal Issue: 1; Other Information: PBD: Jan 1998
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION; ASBESTOS; DECOMPOSITION; LEACHING; PRECIPITATION; SULFONIC ACIDS; ORGANIC FLUORINE COMPOUNDS; SOLVENT PROPERTIES; HYDROFLUORIC ACID; SULFURIC ACID

Citation Formats

Sugama, T, Sabatini, R, and Petrakis, L. Decomposition of chrysotile asbestos by fluorosulfonic acid. United States: N. p., 1998. Web. doi:10.1021/ie9702744.
Sugama, T, Sabatini, R, & Petrakis, L. Decomposition of chrysotile asbestos by fluorosulfonic acid. United States. https://doi.org/10.1021/ie9702744
Sugama, T, Sabatini, R, and Petrakis, L. 1998. "Decomposition of chrysotile asbestos by fluorosulfonic acid". United States. https://doi.org/10.1021/ie9702744.
@article{osti_599773,
title = {Decomposition of chrysotile asbestos by fluorosulfonic acid},
author = {Sugama, T and Sabatini, R and Petrakis, L},
abstractNote = {The effect of a fluorosulfonic acid (FSO{sub 3}H) aqueous solution on decomposing the chrysotile asbestos fibers was investigated by using FT-IR, XRD, and XPS. From the equilibrium of FSO{sub 3}H in an aqueous medium (FSO{sub 3}H + H{sub 2}O = HF + H{sub 2}SO{sub 4}), the resulting H{sub 2}SO{sub 4} had a strong affinity for the external Mg(OH){sub 2} layers in the tubular, scroll-like chrysotile structure. This acid-base reaction led to the precipitation and lixiviation of MgSO{sub 4}{center_dot}H{sub 2}O, MgO, and Mg{sup 2+} ion. Once the breakage of the outer Mg(OH){sub 2} layers occurred, HF readily diffused into the inner silicious layers and then reacted with silicates, converting them into SiO{sub 2} hydrate and H{sub 2}SiF{sub 6}, while the ionic reaction between lixiviated Mg{sup 2+} and F{sup {minus}} resulted in precipitating MgF{sub 2}, thereby destroying the fibrous nature of the asbestos. An optimum combination of HF and H{sub 2}SO{sub 4} contributed significantly to enhancing the rate of conversion of asbestos into nonfibrous materials in a short treatment time without any physical agitation.},
doi = {10.1021/ie9702744},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/599773}, journal = {Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research},
number = 1,
volume = 37,
place = {United States},
year = {Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1998},
month = {Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1998}
}