SULPHURIC ACID (H4SO4)

USES OF SULPHURIC ACID 1. Sulphuric acid is used to produce chemical fertilizer such as ammonium sulphate and potassium sulphate, which are highly soluble in water and can be easily obsorbed by plant. 2. Car batteries contain sulphuric acid which is used as the electrolyte. 3. Sulphuric acid also used in the making of artificial silk-like fibres and rayon. 4. Chemical like paints, dyes and drug use sulphuric acid as one of their component materials. MANUFACTURE OF SULPHURIC ACID 1. Sulphuric acid is manufactured in industry though contact process. 2. The process contain three stages. STAGE 1 : Production of Sulphur Dioxide From Sulphur 1. Combustion of sulphur or sulphide ores in the air produce sulphur dioxide SO S(s)+O2(g)SO2(g) 2. S u l p h u r d i o x i d e i s d r i e d a n d p u r i f i e d . STAGE 2 : Production Of Sulphur Trioxide From Sulphur Dioxide 1. The purified sulphur dioxide SO2 and excess air are passed over vanadium (V) oxide V2O5 at controlled optimum condition to produce sulphur trioxide SO3
.

2SO2(g)+O2(g)2SO3

2.

The optimum used are Temperature : 450 - 500C Pressure : 2 3 atmospheres Catalyst : Vanadium (V) oxide

3. Under controlled optimum condition, 98% conversion is possible. Sulphur dioxide and oxygen that have not react are allowed to flow back again over the catalyst in the converter. STAGE 3 : Conversion of sulphur trioxide to sulphuric acid 1. Sulphur trioxide SO3 is dissolved in concentration sulphuric acid H2SO4 to form oleum H2S2O7 which diluted with water to form sulphuric acid H2SO4 SO2(g) + H2SO4 (1) H2S2O7 (1) H2S2O7 (1) + H2O (1) 2 H2SO4(aq) 2. The two reactions in stage 3 are equivalent to adding sulphur trioxide directly into water. SO3(g) + H2O (1) H2SO4(aq) 3. The addition of sulphur trioxide directly into is not carried out because the reaction isv a r y v i g o r o u s ; a l o t o f h e a t i s g i v e n o f f . A s a r e s u l t , a l a r g e c l o u d o f s u l p h u r i c a c i d fumes is produced, which is corrosive and causes severe air pollution.

The Contact Proces

Outline of Contact Process Sulphur Oxygen In the converter 2SO(g)+O2(g)2SO3(g) S(s)+O2(g)SO2(g) Temperature : 450 - 500C Pressure : 2 3 atmospheres Catalyst : Vanadium (V) oxide Unreact 2% SO2 is flow back to converter together with oxygen

Oxygen

SO2(g) + H2SO4 (aq) H2S2O7 (1) H2S2O7 (1) + H2O (1)2H2SO4(aq)