Determination of sulfuric acid (H2SO4)

Sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) is one of the most widely produced and used chemicals in the world. Its production is considered an indicator of a country's level of industrialization. Used as a catalyst, reagent, dehydrating agent, and processing component, it is used in a wide range of industries, including surface treatment, petroleum refining, fertilizer manufacturing, specialty chemicals, batteries, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and food processing.

Its strong corrosive and oxidizing power, coupled with its toxicity at high doses, justifies strict controls in industrial formulations, finished chemical products, residues, process water or working environments.

Why measure sulfuric acid?

Sulfuric acid dosing is essential in many industrial and environmental contexts:

• Quality control of chemical formulations (electroplating baths, regenerated acids, catalysts, etc.);
• Verification of the concentration in surface treatment or descaling products;
• Monitoring of industrial discharges into wastewater, in accordance with environmental standards;
• Safety analysis in storage or transport facilities for corrosive products;
• Regulatory studies on occupational exposures or transfers to finished products.

The analysis helps ensure regulatory compliance, operator safety, and the performance of industrial processes.

Proposed analytical methods

The determination of sulfuric acid can be carried out using several methods, chosen according to the type of matrix, the expected concentration and the sensitivity requirements:

• Acid-base titration: classic method for pure or weakly complex solutions, allowing rapid quantitative determination.
• Conductimetry: useful for rapid monitoring of treatment baths.
• Ion exchange chromatography (IC): recommended for complex matrices, allows the separation and fine quantification of sulfate ions (SO₄²⁻).
• ICP-OES (or ICP-AES): inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy, ideal for multi-element analyses, suitable for industrial water or corrosive matrices.
• ICP-MS: mass spectrometry for ultra-sensitive detection of sulfates in very dilute matrices.

All methods are implemented in specialized laboratories, following validated procedures, with detection limits adapted to regulatory or technical thresholds.

Commonly analyzed matrices

YesWeLab offers sulfuric acid analysis in a wide variety of matrices:

• Concentrated or diluted industrial solutions (chemicals, formulations, technical solvents);
• Electroplating or acid pickling baths;
• Industrial water (process water, rinsing water, waste water);
• Environmental residues, sludge, complex effluents;
• Agri-food or nutraceutical samples as part of specific regulatory controls (particularly on cross-contamination or processing agents).

Recommended Related Analyses

For a complete diagnosis or regulatory compliance, it is relevant to combine this dosage with other services from the YesWeLab catalog:

• Determination of sulfates (SO₄²⁻) by ion chromatography : essential for tracing sulfuric acid residues in aqueous matrices;
• Dosage of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni);

These services can be integrated into a global analysis plan in the context of quality control, process validation or regulatory audit.

Why choose YesWeLab for sulfuric acid analysis?

YesWeLab centralizes requests for technical and chemical analyses for manufacturers, relying on a network of more than 200 ISO 17025-certified and/or COFRAC-accredited partner laboratories. Thanks to our intuitive digital platform, you gain in responsiveness, traceability, and performance.

Our strengths:

• Technical expertise in managing complex matrices;
• Adaptation to regulatory and normative requirements (REACH, ICPE, environment);
• Tailor-made service with scientific support;
• Optimized deadlines for your production controls or batch validations.

Request a quote

Do you need to measure sulfuric acid in a formulation, effluent, or technical sample?
Send us your request via our online form or contact our scientific team directly to discuss your specifications.

YesWeLab, your partner for industrial, environmental and regulatory chemical analyses.