Product Overview
Citric Acid 25% Solution is a clear, colorless liquid — a quarter-strength citric acid dissolved in water, ready to dispense directly into process lines, cleaning circuits, or batching tanks. Technical grade, CAS 77-92-9. This is a working-strength organic acid that operators in water treatment, industrial cleaning, chemical formulation, and metal finishing reach for when they need controlled acidity without handling dry powder or higher-concentration liquids.
Alliance Chemical offers this product in pack sizes from 1-quart bottles through 330-gallon totes, covering bench-scale evaluation, pilot runs, and full production volumes.
Why This Concentration
At 25%, this solution delivers moderate acidity that is easy to meter and dose without the handling considerations of a stronger acid. For descaling heat exchangers, CIP loops, or cooling-tower circuits, a 25% solution can often be used at or near full strength — no dilution math on the floor. Operators running pH control in process water or wastewater streams get a liquid that flows and mixes on contact: no dissolution step, no powder dust, no slurry risk.
The trade-off is volume. Because three-quarters of every container is water, freight and storage costs per pound of active acid are higher than with a concentrated product. If your process demands a heavier acid charge per unit volume — aggressive scale removal, concentrated buffer batches, or simply lower freight per pound of citric — consider Citric Acid 50% Solution, which halves the liquid you handle for the same acid equivalence. The 25% concentration suits applications where gentler acid contact is preferred, where equipment metallurgy limits acid strength, or where operators want to pour and dose without further dilution.
Chemical Profile
Citric Acid 25% Solution is a clear, colorless, odorless liquid with a density of approximately 1.10–1.12 g/cm³ at 20°C. It is fully miscible with water, making it straightforward to dilute further or integrate into aqueous process streams. The active component is citric acid (molecular formula C₆H₈O₇, molecular weight 192.12 g/mol, CAS 77-92-9), a tricarboxylic organic acid that occurs widely in nature. In solution at this concentration the product arrives as a stable, ready-to-use liquid — no heating, stirring, or dissolution required before dosing.
Industrial Applications
Citric acid at this concentration serves a range of process needs across multiple industries:
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pH Control and Adjustment — Water-treatment operators and process engineers dose citric acid 25% to lower pH or neutralize alkaline streams. The liquid form makes automated dosing via metering pumps precise and repeatable, and the organic acid is easier on downstream biology than mineral acids in many treatment trains.
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Descaling and Cleaning — Mineral scale in boilers, heat exchangers, evaporators, and CIP piping responds well to citric acid. A 25% solution provides effective descaling strength while remaining compatible with stainless steel and most common industrial alloys. Maintenance crews value the lower corrosivity compared to hydrochloric or sulfuric acid in the same service.
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Metal Chelation — Citric acid chelates iron, calcium, and magnesium ions, making it valuable in cleaning formulations, metal-finishing rinse baths, and circuits where dissolved metals interfere with process chemistry or product quality.
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Buffering Agent — In chemical formulation work, citric acid contributes to buffer systems that hold pH stable during reaction, blending, or in a finished product. The 25% liquid simplifies batching compared to weighing and dissolving dry citric acid.
Handling & Storage
Citric Acid 25% Solution carries a GHS signal word of Warning (per the product's GHS classification). It is associated with hazard statement H319 — causes serious eye irritation — and H335 — may cause respiratory irritation (per the product's GHS classification). Operators should wear chemical splash goggles and chemical-resistant gloves during any handling. In enclosed areas or wherever mist or aerosol may form, use appropriate respiratory protection and ensure adequate ventilation.
Store in closed containers made of HDPE, polypropylene, or glass — all compatible with dilute organic acid solutions. Keep containers in a cool, dry area away from direct sunlight. Avoid contact with strong oxidizing agents. Properly sealed, the solution is stable over normal warehouse storage periods; inspect containers periodically for leaks or pressure buildup.
Hazmat & Shipping
Citric Acid 25% Solution is not assigned a UN number, hazard class, packing group, or regulated proper shipping name under DOT hazardous materials regulations (per 49 CFR 172.101). It is not regulated as a hazardous material for transport purposes under these rules. Every shipment from our Taylor, TX warehouse is classification-verified by a DOT Hazmat Specialist to confirm correct documentation before the order leaves the dock.
Documentation
A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) ships with every order, available in English, Spanish, French, and Japanese. A Technical Data Sheet (TDS) is also provided for this product, detailing published specifications. Lot-specific Certificates of Analysis (COA) are available on request, documenting the analytical results for the specific production lot you receive.
Why Buy from Alliance Chemical
This product ships in sixteen packaging configurations — from 1-quart bottles for bench evaluation up to 330-gallon totes for continuous production — so you match container size to actual consumption without overbuying. Alliance Chemical has served over 50,000 customers since 1998 from our warehouse at 204 S Edmond St, Taylor, Texas. Product classifications and shipping documentation are reviewed by Andre Taki, DOT Hazmat Specialist, to confirm accuracy before every order ships.