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Contact Process Notes

The document outlines the Contact Process for manufacturing sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄) from sulphur dioxide (SO₂) using raw materials such as sulphur, air, and water. The process involves five main steps: burning sulphur to produce SO₂, purifying and drying the gases, catalytic oxidation of SO₂ to SO₃, adsorption of SO₃ in concentrated H₂SO₄ to form oleum, and finally diluting oleum to obtain concentrated sulphuric acid. Sulphuric acid has various applications including fertilizer manufacturing, pigment production, battery use, petroleum refining, and as a laboratory reagent.

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7 views2 pages

Contact Process Notes

The document outlines the Contact Process for manufacturing sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄) from sulphur dioxide (SO₂) using raw materials such as sulphur, air, and water. The process involves five main steps: burning sulphur to produce SO₂, purifying and drying the gases, catalytic oxidation of SO₂ to SO₃, adsorption of SO₃ in concentrated H₂SO₄ to form oleum, and finally diluting oleum to obtain concentrated sulphuric acid. Sulphuric acid has various applications including fertilizer manufacturing, pigment production, battery use, petroleum refining, and as a laboratory reagent.

Uploaded by

asadsheikh336408
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Contact Process (Preparation of Sulphuric Acid, H₂SO₄)

Objective:
To manufacture sulphuric acid on a large scale from sulphur dioxide (SO₂).

Raw Materials:

1. Sulphur
2. Air (for oxygen)
3. Water

Main Steps of the Process:

 Step 1: Burning;
Production of Sulphur Dioxide (SO₂)

Sulphur is burnt in air to produce SO₂

S + O₂ → SO₂

 Step 2: Purifying, Filtering and Drying of Gases


Before passing into the converter, the gases (SO₂ and air) are purified to remove dust
and harmful impurities like arsenic compounds that can poison the catalyst.
Filtering: Gases are passed through filters to remove solid particles.
Drying: The gases are then passed through a drying tower containing concentrated
H₂SO₄ to remove moisture.
Purpose: To protect the catalyst (V₂O₅) and ensure efficient conversion.

 Step 3: Catalytic Oxidation


Conversion of SO₂ to SO₃

SO₂ is oxidized to SO₃ using a catalyst (V₂O₅) at controlled temperature and pressure.

2SO₂ + O₂ ⇌ 2SO₃ + Heat

Conditions:
- Catalyst: Vanadium penta-oxide (V₂O₅)
- Temperature: 400-500 °C
- Pressure: 2 atm
- Nature of reaction: Exothermic and reversible

 Step 4: Adsorption of SO₃ in H₂SO₄

SO₃ is not absorbed directly in water because it forms a dense fog of acid.
Instead, it is dissolved in concentrated H₂SO₄ to form oleum (H₂S₂O₇):
SO₃ + H₂SO₄ → H₂S₂O₇

 Step 5: Dilution of Oleum

Oleum is then diluted with water to obtain 98% concentrated sulphuric acid.
H₂S₂O₇ + H₂O → 2H₂SO₄

Diagram

Summary Shortcut (Only to remember key points)

Uses of Sulphuric Acid


1. Manufacturing fertilizers.
2. Production of pigments and dyes
3. Used in batteries (lead-acid)
4. In petroleum refining
5. As a laboratory reagent

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