Industrial Preparation

of Sulphuric acid
THE CONTACT PROCESS
DONE BY: K. Singh
S. Tiecshmaker

Factors which influence the

location of the Sulphuric
acid Industry
Nearness of the source of raw materials
Availability of water resources
The availability of cheap energy/sources of power
Proximity to populated areas
Effluent disposal
Labour supply

Raw materials

The raw materials for this process are:

1. Sulphur (from sulphide ores/ hydrogen

sulphide)
2. Air( from the atmosphere)
3. Water

The Processes Which Involve

The Production Of Sulphuric
Acid

Process of Sulphuric acid

production
The Contact Process undergoes three main
stages outlined as follows:
Production of sulphur dioxide:
There are a variety of methods used to produce
sulphur dioxide-few of which are-

Liquid sulphur is sprayed with excess dry air

of atmospheric pressure in a furnace. This can

be represented by the following equation.

S(l) + O2 (g) SO2 (g)

 Heating sulphide ores such as zinc

sulphide or iron pyrites in an excess of

air.
2ZnS(s) + 3O2 (g) 2ZnO(s) + SO2
(g)
Decomposing calcium sulphate in the

presence of coke.
2CaSO4(s) + C(s) 2CaO(s) + CO2 (g)
+ 2SO2 (g)

 The oxidation of SO2 to SO3:

To remove dust and impurities, the

sulphur dioxide is first mixed with excess
air and passed through an electrostatic
precipitator. This purified sulphur dioxide
which is then mixed with oxygen in the
presence of a vanadium (V) oxide catalyst
to form sulphur trioxide, which is the
anhydride of Sulphuric acid and is
represented by the following equation.
2SO2 (g) + O2 (g) 2SO3(g)

 Hydrating the sulphur trioxide to

sulphuric acid:
Sulphur trioxide is first dissolved in
concentrated Sulphuric acid producing
oleum.
H2SO4 (l) + SO3 (g) H2S2O7 (l)
Water is then added to the oleum to
produce Sulphuric acid.
H2S2O7 (l) + H2O (l) H2SO4 (l)
An absorbing tower is used to absorb the
bulk of acid and passed the residual gases
back to the second stage where it will be
reused. The result is 98% Sulphuric acid
with 2% water, which can also be drawn

Flow diagram for

Sulphuric acid
production

Uses of sulphuric acid

Sulphuric acid is used in the manufacturing
processes of many goods over a wide range of
applications .Some of the main uses of
sulphuric acid are:
The Manufacturing of Fertilizers
Direct production of ammonium sulphate ,
(NH4)2SO4 and production of phosphoric acid
used to make phosphate fertilizers indirectly
which are added to the soil to improve growth.

The Manufacture of Lead-Acid Type

Batteries
Sealed-unit lead type batteries are used in the
automotive industry for cars and trucks.
Sulphuric Acid is used in a dilute form to act as
an electrolyte to allow the flow of electrons
between the plates in the batteries and is used
in this way commonly called battery acid.

Cleaning agent

for metal
surfaces- Pickling
is used to describe
the treatment of
metals to remove
impurities, rust or
scale from the
surface, such as in
steel making.

To make

detergents- many of
these which are
sulphonates.

The Manufacture of Rayon

The textile Rayon is made from cellulose fibers

derived from Wood. These are then dissolved in
a solution of Tetra Amine Copper (II) to produce
a thick blue liquid which is then injected into
Sulphuric Acid to form Rayon fibers.

Catalyst in various

chemical processes
The process of oil
refining crude oil
involves the use if an
Sulphuric Acid as a
catalyst and is often
used for this process. It
is also used as a catalyst
in chemical reactions
e.g. esterification and
hydration/dehydration of
alcohols

To make dyes and

paints

Impacts of the
sulphuric acid
industry on the
environment

Generally, sulphuric acid itself , although

corrosive, is not toxic. When released into the

atmosphere, Sulphuric acid exists as droplets.
When excessive quantity dissolves and mixed
with water and it can destroy vegetations and
animals exposed to it due to its corrosive
nature. In addition, the sulphur dioxide used in
the sulphuric acid industry are toxic as are a
number of sulphur compounds such as
hydrogen sulphide.

Acid rain damage

In the contact process used to make sulphuric

acid, sulphur dioxide or even sulphur trioxide
may escape into the atmosphere as they are
toxic and cause acid rain formation when it
rains. This may eventually lead to destruction
of vegetations and other living species and
even buildings and other physical structures
in the environment.

Effluent and waste disposal

Sulphuric acid escaping into the environment from

various industrial processes either by improper
disposal or airborne may acidify rivers and lakes
causing death of aquatic animals and plants
which are acid sensitive. Not only aquatic plants
and animals can be harmed but when wildlife
ingests this water it results in illness and
sometimes death.

 Skin contact

The presence of sulphur dioxide in the

atmosphere causes skin and throat irritation
which may burn depending on the amount to
which the skin is exposed. Long term exposure
leads to dermatitis or a constant flaking and
irritation of the skin.

Some other impacts of the Sulphuric acid

industry on the environment include:
The contact of metals with sulphuric acid spill
can result in the liberation of hydrogen gas
which could explode and cause fires.
Acid aerosols present in the atmosphere
which include gaseous sulphur dioxide can
present a fire hazard.
Sulphuric acid and sulphur dioxide can cause
acidification of soils. This can result in loss of
minerals by leaching hence growth
development of plants are affected.