MichiganMadScientist - 17-9-2013 at 15:59
I've searched the crap out of these boards and came up with only dead ends and out of date info. Everyone here says, "nitric acid is hard to find and
expensive." I get that. But seriously, where can it be bought even for a high price? And if I must resort to making it, can someone please point me to
a relevant thread that describes three BEST WAY TO MAKE AND CONCENTRATE IT. The search engine only brings up overly elongated threads wherein
Andershoveland describes some obscure and impractical method, and in which, the rest of the posts simply attempt to describe why his methods won't
work. YouTube only yields methods for producing weak solutions. I can work with that if someone can please just point out the most practical method
for Concentrating.
Somebody here must have some useful answers. Sorry for my frustration. Thanks in b advance for your understanding and assistance.
IrC - 17-9-2013 at 16:42
http://www.sciencemadness.org/talk/viewthread.php?tid=1518
Have you read all 11 pages of this thread?
Or looked at this page:
http://www.hyperdeath.co.uk/chemicals/
One way would be to use KNO3 and H2SO4 to synthesize it if no other route is feasible for you. If you search around longer there is much discussion on
the topic here.
[Edited on 9-18-2013 by IrC]
confused - 17-9-2013 at 18:01
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yE7v4wkuZU&hl=en-GB&...
Nurdrage has a pretty comprehensive video on it
Metacelsus - 17-9-2013 at 18:01
All in all, it is MUCH easier (and cheaper) to buy a nitrate salt and sulfuric acid, mix them, and then distill off the nitric acid. With a proper
setup, you can even get white fuming nitric acid. Even if you can find a source that sells nitric acid for personal use at reasonable prices, you will
still have to deal with exorbitant hazmat shipping.
Magpie - 17-9-2013 at 18:03
http://www.sciencemadness.org/talk/viewthread.php?tid=13090
I've read that Duda Diesel sells it:
http://www.amazon.com/67-2-Nitric-475ml-Bottle-Teflon/dp/B00...
[Edited on 18-9-2013 by Magpie]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtdX5YmOdcs
[Edited on 18-9-2013 by Magpie]
woelen - 17-9-2013 at 23:17
If you are in the EU, then you can buy it at APCpure, which also has an eBay shop (it is cheaper on eBay, although the eBay shop says otherwise and
invites you to visit their own webpage). Indeed, you have to pay quite a large shipping fee, I ordered 2.5 liters of 69% HNO3 plus 2.5 liters of 96%
H2SO4 from them and for both items together in a single parcel, shipped according to ADR-regulations (by road and by boat, no air-shipping) I had to
pay EUR 23 or so. This is not terribly expensive, given the total weight of the parcel and the corrosive and dangerous nature of the material to be
shipped. In total the whole lot cost me (including shipping) just over EUR 60.
Assure that you have a good bottle around for the HNO3, it was sold in a plastic jerry can, but this plastic seems to be slightly wet all the time, it
is penetrated by a tiny amount of HNO3 which then causes nasty corrosive fumes around and makes everything nearby rust like hell. This effect is
noticeable, especially in winter time, when it is cold in my garage (I do not store the acid in my homelab).
[Edited on 18-9-13 by woelen]
Steve_hi - 18-9-2013 at 02:27
Very close to you and friendly people.
http://www.elementalscientific.net/store/scripts/prodList.as...
Elemental scientific is in Wisconsin I've bought a lot of stuff from them
MrHomeScientist - 18-9-2013 at 05:17
Not sure what videos you are finding, but all the videos I've seen are for making rather concentrated (azeotropic) solutions. As suggested above,
NurdRage's video is very good. I also have one on my channel, where I make red fuming nitric acid (RFNA) from ammonium nitrate from cold packs and
drain opener sulfuric acid.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYDFplw8iKg
It's actually cleared up quite a bit since I made it, as nitrogen oxides escape the solution.
As for buying it, I can only second the recommendations for Duda Diesel and Elemental Scientific. I haven't bought from either myself, but there's
been many positive experiences on this board.
If the search function of this website fails you (it's not very good), try going to google instead and using "site:sciencemadness.org" in addition to
your search terms.
Bot0nist - 18-9-2013 at 05:35
I have bought it from Duda Deisel. The price isnt that bad, but the hazmat fees.will kill ya. Seriously, it is way cheaper to just distill it yourself
from stump remover potassium nitrate and sulfuric acid. You just need a glass distillation setup, which is indespensable in home chemistry anyways.
The write up Magpie contributed is great and has been used by many. There are many more write ups around here too. You dont even need a vacuum to get
RFNA anyways, biut 70% is easier to store, and can be concentrated by distilling from sulfuric acid when a high concentration is needed
.
This is one of the most covered topics on SciMad, BTW...
[Edited on 18-9-2013 by Bot0nist]
Fantasma4500 - 18-9-2013 at 11:34
i think if you were to distill it, then you would want to use 70% H2SO4, as that should yield something around 70% HNO3 aswell (perhaps im just wrong
here)
70% can be made by boiling a bulk lower concentration down which is much more OTC, they sell it by the KG for pools at 50% concentration
70% HNO3, because its much easier to distill than 98% or whatever it might be
BromicAcid - 18-9-2013 at 14:48
If you live in Michigan you are in luck. Many areas have experienced a hydroponics revolution (due to certain laws being relaxed). It's not just
make believe, dilute nitric acid (ca. 5-10%) can be had for pH down from those places over the counter. You will then likely need to distill to
concentrate but in keeping with the title of the thread, nitric acid can be purchased over the counter.
Rich_Insane - 19-9-2013 at 07:43
Duda Diesel now sells HNO3, I believe. The costs for ship are so high that it would be infinitely cheaper to go through the KNO3/H2SO4 route.
You can get KNO3 online quite cheaply, or you can looks for OTC sources (stump remover or fertilizer; check Lowes).
EDIT: Bot0nist beat me to it 
[Edited on 19-9-2013 by Rich_Insane]
BobD1001 - 19-9-2013 at 09:26
I purchased 2.5L of 70% clean room grade HNO3 from DGR industrial products. Total with shipping came to ~$90. Such a large quantity should last more
than my lifetime, so I'll be able to one day teach my children real chemistry, since by then regulations will likely make such reagents nearly
unobtainable. Its not a very professional looking website, nor did they answer any of my e-mails, however I did receive what I paid for, shipped and
packaged very well, in a very thick HDPE jerry can with a thick red Teflon lined cap.
HazzMatt - 26-9-2013 at 18:03
Ammonium nitrate +sulfic acid distilled=nitic acid+ammoinuim sulfate..............equal amounts