LO’s:
• Uses of sulphuric acids
• describe the manufacture of sulphuric acid from
sulphur and sulphide ores
• disadvantages of this process
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Starter :
a. What do you know about sulphuric acid?
b. Make mind map
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SULPHURIC ACID
H2SO4
• commercially important raw material
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4. MANUFACTURE OF
PAINT
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SULPHURIC ACID…. H2SO4
WILF
• manufacture
• properties
• uses
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1. sulphur dioxide can be made by burning sulphur
in air
. . . or by heating sulphide ores like pyrite in an
excess of air
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THE MANUFACTURE OF H2SO4, THROUGH THE CONTACT
PROCESS
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CONTACT PROCESS: STAGE 1
In the furnace, molten
sulphur is burnt in dry air to
produce sulphur dioxide,
SO2. The gas produced is
purified and cooled.
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CONTACT PROCESS: STAGE 2
In the converter, SO2 and
excess oxygen gas, O2 are
passed over a few plates of
vanadium (V) oxide,
V2O5 catalyst at 450oC to
produce sulphur trioxide,
SO3
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CONTACT PROCESS: STAGE 2
About 99.5% of the sulphur
dioxide, SO2 is converted
into sulphur trioxide, SO3
through this reversible
reaction.
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CONTACT PROCESS: STAGE 3
In the absorber, the sulphur
trioxide, SO3 is first reacted
with concentrated sulphuric
acid, H2SO4 to form a
product called oleum,
H2S2O7.
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CONTACT PROCESS: STAGE 3
The oleum, H2S2O7 is then
diluted with water to
produce concentrated
sulphuric acid, H2SO4 in
large quantities.
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FAQ 1
The two reaction in the third stage are
equivalent to adding sulphur trioxide, SO3,
directly to water
Then why can’t we just skipped concentrated
sulphuric acid step [thus not forming oleum?
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ANSWER
X
• This is not done in the industry, because
sulphur trioxide, SO3 reacts too violently with
water. This produces a lot of heat and a large
cloud of sulphuric acid, H2SO4 mist.
• The mist is corrosive, pollutes the air and is
difficult to condense
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Discuss and answer the following questions:
1. excess air (increased concentration of oxygen) is
used. Explain what this does to the position of
equilibrium and the yields of sulphur dioxide and
sulphur trioxide. Explain your answer.
2. use your text book to find out why excess air
(oxygen) is used.
3. This reaction is exothermic. Would a higher or
lower temperature increase the yield of sulphur
trioxide. Explain your answer.
MS.SEEMA
[email protected] 4. a temperature of 4500C is used as a compromise.
Why do you think this is?
5. high pressures would give a better conversion
however, the reactor is operated slightly above normal
atmospheric pressure. Why is this?
6. a catalyst is added. What is this catalyst called and
what does it do to the position of equilibrium?
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MS.SEEMA [email protected]
