Chemistry: SUlphuric Acid
9.1 Sulphuric Acid
Sulphuric Acid is Manufactured in Industry
1. Sulphuric acid, H2SO4 is manufactured in industry through Contact Process.
2. The raw materials used are sulphur, air and water
3. The Contact process consists of three stages.
Stage 1: The production of sulphur dioxide
This can be obtained by two methods:
1. Burning of sulphur in dry air in the furnace
S + O SO2
2. Burning of metal sulphide such as zinc sulphide or iron(III) sulphide in dry air.
2ZnS + 3O2 2SO2 + 2ZnO
Stage 2: Formation of sulphur trioxide
In the converter, sulphur dioxide and excess oxygen gas are passed over a few plates of vanadium (V) oxide, V2O, the catalyst at 450°C to produce sulphur trioxide, SO3.
2SO2 + O2 2SO3
Stage 3: Formation of Sulphuric Acid
1. In the absorber, sulphur trioxide, SO3 is first reacted with concentrated sulphuric acid to form a product called oleum.
SO3 + H2SO4 H2S2O7
2. The two reactions in stage 3 are equivalent to adding sulphur trioxide directly into water.
SO3 + H2O H2SO4
3. The addition of sulphur trioxide directly into is not carried out because the reaction is very vigorous; a lot of heat is given off. As a result, a large cloud of sulphuric acid fumes is produced, which is corrosive and causes severe air pollution.
Environmental Pollution by Sulphur Dioxide
Sulphur dioxide, SO2 is one of the by-products of the Contact Process. It is one of the source of environmental pollution.
Acid Rain
1. Sulphur dioxide (SO2) is the pollutant primarily associated with acid rain.
2. Acid rain occurs when pH of the rain is between 2.4 and 5.0. This is due to the reaction of sulphur dioxide, SO2 with rainwater.
SO2+H2O→ H2SO3
3. The negative effect of acid rains include
a. corrosion of concrete building and metal structure.
b. corrosion of monuments and statues made from marble
c. causes erosion of top soil.
d. killing aquatic life.
Health Effects
1. SO2 is an
Sulphuric Acid is Manufactured in Industry
1. Sulphuric acid, H2SO4 is manufactured in industry through Contact Process.
2. The raw materials used are sulphur, air and water
3. The Contact process consists of three stages.
Stage 1: The production of sulphur dioxide
This can be obtained by two methods:
1. Burning of sulphur in dry air in the furnace
S + O SO2
2. Burning of metal sulphide such as zinc sulphide or iron(III) sulphide in dry air.
2ZnS + 3O2 2SO2 + 2ZnO
Stage 2: Formation of sulphur trioxide
In the converter, sulphur dioxide and excess oxygen gas are passed over a few plates of vanadium (V) oxide, V2O, the catalyst at 450°C to produce sulphur trioxide, SO3.
2SO2 + O2 2SO3
Stage 3: Formation of Sulphuric Acid
1. In the absorber, sulphur trioxide, SO3 is first reacted with concentrated sulphuric acid to form a product called oleum.
SO3 + H2SO4 H2S2O7
2. The two reactions in stage 3 are equivalent to adding sulphur trioxide directly into water.
SO3 + H2O H2SO4
3. The addition of sulphur trioxide directly into is not carried out because the reaction is very vigorous; a lot of heat is given off. As a result, a large cloud of sulphuric acid fumes is produced, which is corrosive and causes severe air pollution.
Environmental Pollution by Sulphur Dioxide
Sulphur dioxide, SO2 is one of the by-products of the Contact Process. It is one of the source of environmental pollution.
Acid Rain
1. Sulphur dioxide (SO2) is the pollutant primarily associated with acid rain.
2. Acid rain occurs when pH of the rain is between 2.4 and 5.0. This is due to the reaction of sulphur dioxide, SO2 with rainwater.
SO2+H2O→ H2SO3
3. The negative effect of acid rains include
a. corrosion of concrete building and metal structure.
b. corrosion of monuments and statues made from marble
c. causes erosion of top soil.
d. killing aquatic life.
Health Effects
1. SO2 is an