Sulphuric Acid Manufacturing Process

The Engineering Concepts

6 years ago

Sulphuric Acid, also known as Vitriol is composed of elemental sulphur, Hydrogen and Oxygen.

The molecular formula is :

Physical Characteristics : Colourless; Odorless; Soluble in water and is highly exothermic in nature. Considered as Strong Acid.

Chemical Characteristic : Highly corrosive in nature, Hygroscopic, Produces severe chemical and thermal burns when in contact.

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Industrial Sulphuric Acid Production

In industry sulphuric acid is mainly produced by

Contact Process :
Wet Sulphuric Acid Process
Lead Chamber Process : Produces Dilute Sulphuric Acid (67-78% )

Chemical Reactions Involved :

Step 1 : Sulphur is burned to produced Sulphur Oxide

Step 2 : Then Sulphur Oxide is oxidized to sulfur trioxide using oxygen in the presence of a vanadium(V) oxide catalyst . This formation of sulphur trioxide is a reversible and highly exothermic reaction.

The sulfur trioxide is absorbed into 97–98% to form oleum (), which is also known as fuming sulfuric acid. Thenafter oleum () is diluted with water to form concentrated sulfuric acid .