[Chemical Knowledge]：The nature, use, upstream and downstream raw materials, storage methods of zinc chloride, what is zinc chloride

Zinc Chloride Properties

Zinc chloride (ZnCl₂) is a white or colorless crystal with high solubility and is completely soluble in water, ethanol and glycerin. Its chemical properties are stable, but it is easy to absorb moisture, and it will gradually absorb water to form hydrates when exposed to the air. Zinc chloride is highly corrosive, capable of dissolving a wide range of metals and organics, and is toxic and requires careful handling.

Zinc Chloride Uses

Zinc chloride is widely used in industry. It is used as a welding and brazing flux in the field of metal processing, which can effectively remove the oxide on the metal surface and improve the welding quality. In the chemical industry, zinc chloride is an important catalyst in organic synthesis reactions, often used in the synthesis of dyes, fragrances and pharmaceutical intermediates. In addition, zinc chloride is also used as a wood preservative, rust remover and electrolyte in batteries. In the textile industry, it is used for fabric sizing and treatment to increase the strength and abrasion resistance of fibers.

Zinc chloride upstream and downstream raw materials

The production of zinc chloride requires two main raw materials: zinc and hydrochloric acid. Zinc is the key raw material for the production of zinc chloride, which is usually extracted from ore and smelted to obtain pure zinc. Hydrochloric acid is another important raw material, produced by the reaction of hydrogen and chlorine. In the actual production process, zinc reacts with hydrochloric acid to form zinc chloride and hydrogen. Downstream products include various zinc chloride products for welding, brazing, catalysts, etc., which play an important role in different industrial fields.

Zinc chloride production process

The production of zinc chloride is mainly carried out by the direct synthesis method, that is, the metal zinc is reacted with hydrochloric acid to form a zinc chloride solution, and then solid zinc chloride is obtained by evaporation and crystallization process. In the production process, the reaction conditions need to be strictly controlled to ensure that the resulting zinc chloride has high purity and stable quality. The by-product hydrogen produced in production can be further utilized as industrial gas to improve the economic efficiency of production.

Zinc chloride storage method

Zinc chloride is highly hygroscopic and corrosive and requires special attention during storage. Zinc chloride should be stored in a dry, well-ventilated warehouse to avoid contact with moisture. Storage containers shall be of corrosion resistant material such as plastic or glass and shall be well sealed to prevent the ingress of moisture from the air. The storage area should be away from flammable and explosive materials and chemicals such as strong acids and alkalis to prevent accidental reactions.

Zinc chloride safe disposal

Due to the corrosive and toxic nature of zinc chloride, proper precautions must be taken during handling. Operators should wear protective clothing, gloves and goggles to avoid direct skin and eye contact with zinc chloride. In case of contact, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical attention as soon as possible. When disposing zinc chloride waste, local environmental protection regulations shall be followed and proper harmless treatment shall be carried out to avoid environmental pollution.

Zinc Chloride Market Analysis

The market demand for zinc chloride is mainly concentrated in the fields of welding, brazing, chemical catalysis and wood preservation. With the development of these industrial fields, the market demand for zinc chloride also shows an increasing trend. Especially in emerging market countries, the process of industrialization is accelerating, and the demand for zinc chloride is growing rapidly. Increasing environmental regulations are also driving the demand for high-purity zinc chloride products. Overall, the zinc chloride market has broad prospects, but it is also facing the challenges of raw material price fluctuations and rising production costs.

Zinc Chloride Future Development Trend

In the future, the application field of zinc chloride may be further expanded. For example, in the field of new energy batteries, zinc chloride is expected to be used as a new electrolyte material to improve the performance and life of batteries. With the development of green chemical industry, more attention will be paid to the application of zinc chloride in environment-friendly catalyst and green chemical process. The production process of zinc chloride will develop in the direction of high efficiency, energy saving and environmental protection to meet the market demand and environmental protection requirements.

Conclusion

As an important chemical raw material and intermediate, zinc chloride plays a variety of key roles in industry. Its excellent chemical properties and wide application fields make it an important position in the market. By optimizing the production process and strengthening safety management, the production efficiency and quality of zinc chloride can be effectively improved. In the future, with the continuous progress of industrial technology and the improvement of environmental protection requirements, the application prospect of zinc chloride will be broader.