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Organic Acid

Last updated: December 22, 2018

What Does Organic Acid Mean?

Organic acid is a type of organic compound that typically has acidic properties. A common example of organic acids are called carboxyl acids, which are generally known as weak acids and do not totally dissociate in a medium such as water, unlike with strong minerals.

The simplest form of organic acids, such as acetic and formic, are typically used in stimulation treatments against corrosion for gas and oil, since these are less reactive compared to hydrochloric acid and other strong acids.

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Corrosionpedia Explains Organic Acid

Organic acids are known as the "weak" acid group, and do not totally dissolve in water, while strong acids do. Organic acids have lesser molecular mass and are miscible, while those that have high molecular mass, like benzoic acids, are not soluble when in neutral form.

Simple forms of organic acids are highly useful in the stimulation treatments of gas and oil wells. These acids are considered to be less reactive to mineral acids, making them a great option for corrosion treatment and prevention in various industries. With this, organic acids are highly recommended for use in settings where there are high temperatures or when there is prolonged contact between pipe and acid.

Furthermore, other forms of organic acids like lactate and citrate are typically used as buffer solutions. While other kinds, like oxalic and citric acids, are considered to be beneficial for removal of rust. Since these are acids, they are capable of dissolving iron oxides without causing damage to the metal, unlike with stronger acids. Organic acids can be more beneficial when they are in their dissociated form, since they are capable of chelating metal ions, which speeds up the removal of rust.

With all these characteristics, the reliability of organic acids in preventing and mitigating corrosion in metals and other structures is highly evident.

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