Make Nitric Acid from Sodium Bisulfate and Sodium Nitrate

In this video we Make Nitric Acid from Sodium Bisulfate and Sodium Nitrate.

I actually try a few methods like dissolving them in water first and varying the amount of reagents. Overall the best method i found was to thoroughly mix 43g of sodium nitrate with 150g of sodium bisulfate and then directly distill off the nitric acid. Yield was about 95% nitric acid at 75% concentration.

To remove unsightly dissolved nitrogen dioxide, hydrogen peroxide, ammonia or urea may be added in small portions to react it away.

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[NurdRage]

I might do a couple more videos on nitric acid like completely acid-free methods to make it and maybe redo the sulfuric acid version since my original video from ten years ago sucks compared to today's standards. My electrochemistry work has been slow since some of the chemicals are taking too long to get here.

[chotramnauthprabhu]

Its so nice to hear that scary voice in these troubling times ❤❤I've missed u

[saw]

I am not a chemist, I've never re-created any of your experiments. However, I have been following you for ~10 years and I still absolutely love your videos. You've taught me so much and I feel like I can follow along with your procedures. Thank you for still doing this, I hope you continue to for many, many, many more years.

[logigustafsson]

NurdRage always uses a PPPS (Positive Pressure Personnel Suit) driven by a tank of SF6 in every video as you can hear, so NurdRage is always safe and sound during every experiment.


Thanks for lighting up our day, @NurdRage
You've been missed.

[JATmatic]

Me: I should be going to sleep...
NurdRage: Nope, here is a video.

[germanwidow]

He is back, this is worth celebrating

[meowmeow]

Welcome back nurdrage!!! It’s been a while!!!

[anonviewerciv]

Sodium nitrate + sodium bisulfate. (8:35)
1:45 Dry method.
4:48 Wet method.

[UnitSeen]

NurdRage: Bringing you chemistry that you can do with as few items of glassware as possible.

:D

[Spongman]

“You can even have violent decomposition” creepy timing...

[Amariachan]

whoohoooo i totaly forgot about this channel happy to see it still exists :D

[avael]

Went outside to do the wet process. For context I live near Timmins/Sudbury and it's January 13th. My nitric froze during the distillation in the condenser and in the receiving flask. Neat looking crystals at least. Never thought I'd need to use water in my condenser for heating...

Canada moment.

[kariminalo]

I just turned 18, have been following your experiments since I was 12. Hadn't I found your channel I'd never understand chemistry and grow an interest for it, your videos are the reason why I'm still studying chem.

[ZoonCrypticon]

Nurdrage...could you theoretically lead the exhaust of Diesel cars through a cooled water tank to obtain nitric acid and nitrous acid "on the fly" in desirable quantities? In the aftereffect you could reduce emissions of these gases and would not need urea additives.

[riippumatonlinja]

For me, ive got almost endless number of used lead-sulphur-acid-batteries which i can turn easily to purified sulphuric acid(how much its cost per kg? and is it how legal to send another hobbyists? i think there is diffirent rules every country.). Otherwise than nitric, what i need to do harder to come by ingredients. Annoying that its hard for hobbyists due untrusworthy people misuse chemicals some idiotic ways.

[Jayenh]

@nurdrage So although the dry method brings with it extreme (potential) convenience, I am going to HIGHLY **HIGHLY** NOT RECOMMEND IT, unless you have a source of **KNOWN PURE SODIUM BISULFATE GUARANTEED TO BE ABSOLUTELY FREE OF ORGANIC ADULTERANTS**.

Otherwise, you are going to make **NITRATED ORGANIC SOMETHING** in a heated environment and it is unlikely to go well.

I just don't like this dry distillation much anyway as even 100mg of material (not much contamination!) undergoing rapid deflagration or explosion will take your apparatus apart and/or turn it into flying glass. Water on the reaction side should greatly reduce the risk of that.

As in, if you get a bit of cellulose type matter into your mixture, it will probably go off once it's been nitrated unless it's sufficiently wet. Other contaminants may be very eager to go bang.

Pretty freaking cool though, if you didn't have to worry about unplanned energetic disassembly. 😎

[dedkeny]

Your depth of explanation has kept me from getting injured more than once... Thank you

[garethdean]

'Sodium bisulfate is corrosive'

*Idly grabs handfuls out of a bag while cleaning the pool*

Wait, I think I missed something..

[austinrosh]

Your a saint was just about to whip up some nitric tonight looks like I got a new experiment:)

[SuperAngelofglory]

Here HNO3 is available to buy as limescale remover for heating systems made of aluminium, but you can only buy a 5 or 10 liters jug