Copper sulfate

The copper sulfate is formed by the combination of a Ion Cuivre (Cu²⁺) and of a Ion Sulfate (SO₄^2-)
It thus has as a formula: CuSO₄ .

Manufacture

It is generally manufactured by attack, during a few hours, of the cupric Cuivre by the sulphuric Acid concentrated.

The sulphuric acid does not attack copper: if copper of recovery is attacked, it is the cupric form (level of oxidation II, present in the form of copper carbonate, or green of gray, on the surface of metal) which will be transformed into CuSO4 and copper not attacked will be found very clean!

For the to crystallize, one places the solution obtained in vats (out of copper) in which plunge bars (also coppers some). The hydrated copper sulfate crystals - of a beautiful major blue - are formed in a few hours on the surface of the container and the bars. The layer of crystals can reach several centimetres thickness (5 to 15 or more). These crystals are recovered and crushed. When they are crushed rather fine (1 to 3 mms in diameter approximately), a curious thing occurs: their color passes to dull pale blue. They are sold in this form in name “copper sulfate snows”

Use

He is recommended at the beginning of the XIXe century in treatment of the seed S, then used about the middle of the century, in a form close to the Bouillie of Bordeaux, to discourage the robbers of Raisin, then like Fongicide anti Mildiou, on vine, as from 1880.

The copper sulfate and the sulphuric Acid were formerly called “Vitriol”. It was used a long time like Weeding chemical (in particular Potatoes). One can also use it like " Algicide " for the swimming pools since that, at a rate of 1 gram/m ³, it is relatively inoffensive for the man. However, it is corrosive for the eyes in the event of prolonged exposure and very harmful for the environment and must thus be used only in all last recourse. Moreover, it attacks metals and the coatings out of plastic (standard liner) and cancels the guarantee offered by the majority of the pisciniers.

Today still, the crystals are generally crushed and sold under name “copper sulfate snows”, which is used to manufacture (industrially or not) the Bouillie of Bordeaux. This one is employed like Fongicide and Bactéricide in agriculture, including biological.

The copper sulfate is also employed like contribution of Oligo-élément (copper), as well in the event of copper deficiency of the plants, as of the animals (disease of the turn of the white eye of the bovines for example). It is also, in the breedings of Porc S, regularly employed in mineral complement in food, to support the catch of weight. The anhydrous copper sulfate is white (grisâtre) and becomes again blue in contact with the water or of the steam.

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