[c130-am]

I'm trying to create Nitric Acid by combining Potassium Nitrate with Sulfuric Acid in a laboratory distillation kit.

I'm using this youtube video as a guide:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YWVBBGSxZ8

This recipe calls for 110g potassium nitrate and 60mL conc. sulfuric acid.  I have the potassium nitrate and now all I need is the sulfuric acid.

So I found a brand of Theochem Sulfuric Acid Drain Opener, which they claim to contain: 93% inhibited virgin sulfuric acid.
Is this what I need? Will the inhibited sulfuric acid prevent the nitric acid produced from melting copper?

[Arkcon]

Assuming that this entire procedure is remotely safe or sane, you will need a purer source of sulfuric acid.   A quick Google led me to an MSDS, which indicates this product is inhibited by the addition of petroleum products.  How the hell this product is is useful for unclogging drains when it contains non-polar solvents I don't clearly understand.  But it may not work at all for your application.

(EDIT}
Oops.  Forgot to add the link: http://www.catawbaschools.net/departments/operations/maintenance/MSDS/CLEANING%20SUPPLIES%20MSDS/MSDS_OneShotDrainOpener.pdf

[c130-am]

Assuming that this entire procedure is remotely safe or sane, you will need a purer source of sulfuric acid.   A quick Google led me to an MSDS, which indicates this product is inhibited by the addition of petroleum products.  How the hell this product is is useful for unclogging drains when it contains non-polar solvents I don't clearly understand.  But it may not work at all for your application.

(EDIT}
Oops.  Forgot to add the link: http://www.catawbaschools.net/departments/operations/maintenance/MSDS/CLEANING%20SUPPLIES%20MSDS/MSDS_OneShotDrainOpener.pdf

That stinks.  Well I watched some other guides that say you can purify it from Sikagard Heavy Duty Concentrate Clean & Etch by fractional distillation. So that will probably be a better option for me.

Unless does anyone know any better sources?

[billnotgatez]

You might find something at these links

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_commonly_available_chemicals

http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/household/brands?tbl=chem&id=391&query=sulfuric+acid&searchas=TblChemicals

[Zyklonb]

I definitly wouldn't want to distill nitric acid with hydrocarbons anywhere near it. That sounds very dangerous (nitric acid + most fuels  BOOM!)
Fractional distillation will probably work to separate the acid from the inhibiter, but unless you have quite a bit of experience with distillations, you shouldn't try this one. Sulfuric acid has a very high boiling point, and at that temperature will be so much more corrosive than usual (which is very corrosive).
However, you may be able to use sulfuric acid's high boiling point to your advantage. Arkcon's link says it contains kerosene, which has an average boiling point of 170°-250°C, compaired to sulfuric acid's 337°C. So if you boil it for about twenty or more minutes, you should get rid of most hydrocarbons.

[c130-am]

I definitly wouldn't want to distill nitric acid with hydrocarbons anywhere near it. That sounds very dangerous (nitric acid + most fuels  BOOM!)
Fractional distillation will probably work to separate the acid from the inhibiter, but unless you have quite a bit of experience with distillations, you shouldn't try this one. Sulfuric acid has a very high boiling point, and at that temperature will be so much more corrosive than usual (which is very corrosive).
However, you may be able to use sulfuric acid's high boiling point to your advantage. Arkcon's link says it contains kerosene, which has an average boiling point of 170°-250°C, compaired to sulfuric acid's 337°C. So if you boil it for about twenty or more minutes, you should get rid of most hydrocarbons.

No no.. I meant distill Nitric Acid directly from the Heavy Duty Clean & Etch. By its MSDS this is the composition:

Nitric Acid: 15-35%
Phosphoric Acid: 15-35%

Nitric has a boiling point of about 83 C so it should still be possible using home equipment. Although it'll probably be a lower concentration using this process.

[Arkcon]

Like I said, not remotely safe or sane.  I hope you have an all glass distillation rig, because hot nitric vapor attacks both rubber and cork.