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Overview of Sulphuric Acid Production

The document discusses the production of sulphuric acid through the contact process, which involves three main stages: 1. Sulphur or metal sulphides are burned to produce sulphur dioxide. 2. The sulphur dioxide is converted to sulphur trioxide in a catalyst-driven reaction. 3. The sulphur trioxide is dissolved in concentrated sulphuric acid to form oleum, which is then diluted to produce the final concentrated sulphuric acid product. Sulphuric acid has many industrial uses but its production can release sulphur dioxide into the air and contribute to acid rain formation if not properly controlled.

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43 views3 pages

Overview of Sulphuric Acid Production

The document discusses the production of sulphuric acid through the contact process, which involves three main stages: 1. Sulphur or metal sulphides are burned to produce sulphur dioxide. 2. The sulphur dioxide is converted to sulphur trioxide in a catalyst-driven reaction. 3. The sulphur trioxide is dissolved in concentrated sulphuric acid to form oleum, which is then diluted to produce the final concentrated sulphuric acid product. Sulphuric acid has many industrial uses but its production can release sulphur dioxide into the air and contribute to acid rain formation if not properly controlled.

Uploaded by

afeequew
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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SULPHURIC ACID, H2SO4

Contact process produces more than 90% of world sulphuric acid. Raw materials used for the manufacture of sulphuric acid: o Sulphur o Air o Water Contact process consists of 3 stages: o Production of sulphur dioxide o Conversion of sulphur dioxide to sulphur trioxide o Production of sulphuric acid STAGE 1: PRODUCTION OF SULPHUR DIOXIDE o Sulphur is burnt in air to produce sulphur dioxide. S + O2 SO2 o Burning of metal sulphides such as zinc sulphide and lead sulphide also produces sulphur dioxide. 2ZnS + 3O2 2ZnO + 2SO2 2PbS + 3O2 2PbO + 2SO2 o The sulphur dioxide is then mixed with excess air. The mixture is dried and purified to remove impurities such as arsenic compound. o The arsenic compounds found in sulphur will poison the catalyst in the converter, making the catalyst ineffective. STAGE 2: CONVERSIURON OF SULPHUR DIOXIDE TO SULPHUR TRIOXIDE o The mixture of sulphur dioxide and excess oxygen is passed through a converter. The sulphur dioxide is oxidised to sulphur trioxide. 2SO2 + O2 2SO3 o Optimum conditions used are as follows: a. Temperature: 450oC b. Pressure: 1 atm c. Catalyst: vanadium(V) oxide, V2O5

o About 97% conversions occur under these optimum conditions. STAGE 3: PRODUCTION OF SULPHURIC ACID o Sulphur trioxide is first dissolved in concentrated sulphuric acid to produce a product called oleum, H2S2O7. SO3 + H2SO4 H2S2O7 o Sulphur trioxide is not dissolved in water to form sulphuric acid. This is because the reaction between sulphur trioxide and water is very vigorous and produce a large amount of heat. The reaction causes the production of a large cloud of sulphuric acid mist. The mist is very corrosive, pollutes the air and is hard to condense. o Oleum is then diluted with water to produce concentrated sulphuric acid of about 98%. H2S2O7 + H2O 2H2SO4

The uses of sulphuric acid o o o o o o o o To manufacture fertilizers To manufacture paint pigment To manufacture another chemical substances To use as electrolyte in car batteries To clean metal To manufacture synthetics fibre To manufacture detergent To manufacture plastics

Properties of sulphuric acids: o o o o o o o o o Chemical formula: H2SO4 Highly corrosive Melting point: 10oC Boiling point: 340oC Diprotic acid Non-volatile acid Oily acid viscous colourless liquid dense soluble in water

SULPHURIC ACID AND ENVIROMENTAL EFFECT o sulphur dioxide is released through: I. the combustion of fuels that high sulphur content II. the combustion of sulphur during Contact process III. the extraction of metals from its sulphide ores
Acid rain occurs when oxide of nitrogen (nitrogen oxide and nitrogen dioxide) and sulphur dioxide are released to the atmosphere. As a result, nitric acid and sulphuric acid will be formed in the rain. Acid rain is formed. The pH value of the acid rain is between 2.4 and 5.0. o environmental effect: I. The corrosion of building, monument, and statue. II. Leaches of nutrient from the soil. III. The acidity of the soil increases, and plant cannot grow well. IV. Increase the acidity of water, and aquatic organisms that cannot live in low pH value of water will eventually die. V. Corrodes metallic structure. Way to reduce environmental effect: I. Use fuels that have low sulphur content. II. Add calcium oxide (lime), calcium hydroxide, and calcium carbonate (limestone) into the lake or river to neutralize the acid present.

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