ZINC CHLORIDE (ZnCl2)

March 21, 2018December 26, 2018 EIRI Team

Zinc chloride is one of the important zinc componds. It is stable in the vapour phase upto 900oC. It is very hygroscopic, extremely water soluble, and soluble in organic liquids such as alcohols, esters, ketones,ethers, amides and mitrictes. Hydrates with 1, 1.5, 2.5, 3, and 4 molecules of water have been identified and great care must be expressed to avoid hydration of the anhydrous form.

Aqueous solution of zinc chloride are acidic (pH=1.O for 6 m ),and when partially neutralized form slighly soluble basic chlorides eg. Zncl2 and 4 Zn( ch)2 and Zn(ch)cl many other basic chlorides have been reported.

Zinc Chloride (Zn Cl2) is available as white, crystalline powder, odourless, moulded in pencils or porcelains like mass.

Zinc Chloride is obtained by heating zinc with dry chlorine gas, by the action of hydrochloric acid on Zinc Oxide, or by heating a mixture of Zinc Sulphate and Sodium Chloride.

It is economical to manufacture zinc chloride from secondary Zinc sources as Zinc dross, sal skimming, etc. The zinc dross is treated with some what less than required quantity of hydrochloric acid and the clear liquid is filtered off. The oxides dross residue is then treated with chlorine and the resultant zinc chloride is leached off and added to the first filtrate. The clear liquid is evaporated to the desired stage.

Zinc chloride is an industrially important compound of Zinc. In aqueous solution, it may be used alone or in combination with phenol or sodium chromate as a wood preservative for railway sleepers poles for communication lines, etc. and for fire proofing timber.

Zinc Chloride (CAS. 7646-85-7) has formula Zncl2 zinc chloride melts at 2750C and boils at 7200C.

Among the forms of zinc chloride are zinc chloride 47.4 wt % (sp.gr.1.53) solution and solid form produced by further evaporations until upon cooling, an almost anhydrous salt crystallizers. The solid is sometimes sold in fused form. The fumes of zinc chloride are highly toxic and can damage mucous membrane and cause pall grey cyntion. It can also ulerate the skin of workers using it is a soldering flux or those handling wood impregnated with it.

Zinc Chloride (ZnCl2 2 H2O) is usually in the form of white granular deliquent crystals or crystalline powder. It is not easily obtained in anhydrous form but usually contains approximately 5% water.

The major zinc chemicals of commercial importance: zinc oxide (accounting for 62% of the market for the three chemicals), zinc sulfate (33%), and zinc chloride (5%). The major market segments for zinc chemicals include rubber compounding, agriculture, and ceramics.

Uses of zinc chloride:

as an electrolyte in the production of dry galvanic cells
in surface treatment of metals for preparation of melting baths (fluxes), especially in hot-dip galvanizing and electroplating
in chemical syntheses, production of soldering pastes and solutions, tin coating and production of ion exchangers

Global Zinc Chemicals Market stood at nearly USD7.90 Billion in 2017 and is anticipated to grow at a steady rate, witnessing CAGR of 4.89% during the forecast period, reaching USD12.92 Billion through 2027. The growth in the Global Zinc Chemicals Market can be attributed to the versatile applications of zinc derivatives in several industries. Moreover, the ongoing M&A activities among industry behemoths such as Zinc Oxide L.L.C. and Zochem Inc. would further cater to the growth in Global Zinc Chemicals Market at a modest pace, during the forecast period.

Zinc chemicals continue to show growth in the area of fertilizers, animal feed, and food consumption. As more than 50% of the soils in the world are considered to be zinc-deficient and with the population having doubled in the past 30 years and projected to increase from 7 billion to over 9 billion by 2050, and arable land per person declining, crop yields must increase. In many studies, including projects in Brazil, China, India, and Turkey, agricultural yields were increased by adding zinc to standard fertilizers and premixes. In addition, various organizations and businesses alike have begun to emphasize the benefits of zinc used in food and nutritional supplements.

Process:

Anhydrous zinc chloride can be made from the reaction of the metal with chloride or hydrogen chloride. It is usually made commercially by the reaction of aqueous hydrochloric acid with scrap zinc materials or roasted ore, ie. crude zinc oxide.

The solution of zinc chloride is purified in various ways depending upon the impurities present.

For example, iron and manganese precipitate after partial neutralization with zinc oxide or other alkali and oxidation with chlorine or sodium hypochlorite, heavy metals are removed with zinc powder, the solution is concentrated by boiling, and hydrochloride acid is added to prevent the formation of basic chlorides, zinc chloride is usually sold as a 47.4 Wt% (1.53) solution, but is also produced in solid form by further evaporation until, upon looking, an anhydrous salt crystallizes the solid is sometimes sold in fused form.

Zinc chloride can be prepared by several methods, although zinc chloride can be prepared by passing chloride gas over red hot zinc or zinc oxide, or by the action of hydrochloric acid on zinc or spelter (98-99% Zinc) or Zinc oxide it is more economical to produce it from secondary zinc sources such as Zinc scrap from sheet cutting, zinc anodes, old zinc roofings and zinc die, casting or from zinc rich residues in manufacturing processes such as galvanizing. In India the most common raw materials used in the manufacture of zinc dross (92-94% zinc) Zinc ash (60-65% Zinc) and zinc skimmings (40-45% Zinc) which are obtained from galvanizing industry.

The following pie chart shows world consumption of zinc chemicals by end use:

Global Zinc Chemicals market is controlled by these major players, namely– U.S. Zinc (US), GHC (Canada), Akrochem (US), BruggemannChemical (Germany) Weifang Longda Zinc Industry Co., Ltd. (China), HakusuiTech Co, Ltd. (Japan), Zinc Oxide LLC (US), etc.

Zinc Chloride unit may be set up in Rs. 1.40 Cr. (machinery cost) for 20 TPD plant, Machinery are fluently available in India and there is a huge demand of this product.Raw material Zinc ash is also available in India. Land area is required 4000 sq. mtr for 20 TPD. Production. Rate of Return : 30%. For more details and project report contact at : eiri@eiriindia.org or www.eiriindia.org Help: +91 9811437895. Tentative contents of the project report are: