SULPHURIC ACID

The Contact Process

The Contact process is the method used to produce sulphuric acid needed for industrial processes. It is needed and is therefore produced in very high concentrations.

There are three (3) main stages in the Contact process.

Production of sulphur dioxide (SO2) Oxidation of sulphur dioxide (SO2) to sulphur trioxide (SO3) Hydration of sulphur trioxide (SO3) to sulphuric acid (H2SO4)

STAGE 1: PRODUCTION OF SULPHUR DIOXIDE

Three ways in which sulphur dioxide can be produced are as follows: Burning sulphur in excess of air S(s) + O2(g) ---------- SO2(g)

Heating sulphide ores like pyrite in an excess of air 4FeS2(s) + 11O2(g) --------- 2Fe2O3(s) + 8SO2(g) Decomposition of calcium sulphate in the presence of coke 2CaSO4(g) + O2(g) --------- 2CaO(s) + CO2(g) +2SO2(g)

STAGE 2: CONVERTING THE SULPHUR DIOXIDE (SO2) TO SULPHUR TRIOXIDE (SO3)

This conversion is done by oxidation of SO2(g) to SO3(g). Before the sulphur dioxide is oxidised it is passed through an electrostatic precipitator which removes dust and impurities. Dust and impurities are removed to prevent poisoning of the catalyst. These reduce the surface area of the catalyst and decrease its efficiency. The purified sulphur dioxide is then oxidised in the presence of a catalyst, vanadium (V) oxide. 2SO2(g) + O2(g) 2SO3(g) H = -196 kJmol

THE PROCESS THUS FAR:

Conditions for the reaction.

The gases are going into the reactor in the ratio of 1 molecule of sulphur dioxide to 1 of oxygen. Therefore, there is an excess of oxygen relative to the proportions demanded by the equation. Increase concentration of oxygen in the mixture to causes the position of equilibrium to shift towards the right. This ensures complete conversion of sulphur dioxide to sulphur trioxide.

EQUILIBRIUM CONSIDERATIONS
1. Temperature The forward reaction is exothermic. if you lower the temperature the system will respond by moving the position of equilibrium to counteract this. In order to get as much sulphur trioxide as possible in the equilibrium mixture, the temperature should be 400450C.

2. Pressure
2SO2(g) + O2(g) 2SO3(g) Notice that there are 3 molecules on the left-hand side of the equation, but only 2 on the right. According to Le Chatelier's Principle, if you increase the pressure the system will respond by favouring the reaction which produces fewer molecules. So the equilibrium will shift to the right. Although high pressure gives a higher yield of sulphur trioxide in the equilibrium mixture, the reaction is done close to atmospheric pressure which gives an approximate yield of sulphur trioxide.

3. Catalyst Vanadium (V) oxide

The catalyst has no effect on the position of the equilibrium. Its only function is to speed up the reaction. The catalyst is a heterogeneous catalyst since the reactants and the catalyst are not in the same phase. The reaction route is as follows:

The reaction route:

STAGE 3: HYDRATION OF SULPHUR TRIOXIDE (SO3) TO SULPHURIC ACID (H2SO4) The sulphur trioxide is first dissolved in concentrated sulphuric acid to form oleum. H2SO4(l) + SO3(g) -------- H2S2O7(l) This is then diluted with water to produce concentrated sulphuric acid. H2S2O7(l) + H2O(l) ------- 2H2SO4(l)

THE CONTACT PROCESS

Impact of The Sulphuric Acid Industry

Positive Impacts
The emissions of this gas in the atmosphere is reduced.

 This spent sulphuric acid is regenerated, recycled and can also be thermally decomposed to give sulphur dioxide which is then regenerated into clean sulphuric acid which can then be reused. The vanadium content from the catalyst can be recovered and recycled. This allows for the prevention of the spent catalyst from becoming a problem to the environment. The heat is used to turn water into steam which is then used to generate electricity. No carbon dioxide is formed as no fossil fuel is used.

Negative Impacts
Acid rain Exposure to sulphuric acid fumes. Seeping of sulphuric acid into the soil and marine life.

ACID RAIN

EFFECTS OF ACID RAIN

Burns caused by sulphuric acid

Adverse effects on human health:

Neurological effects and behavioural changes Disturbance of blood circulation Heart damage Effects on eye sight Reproductive failuires Damage to immune system Hearing defects Stomach and gastrointestinal disorders Damage to liver and kidney functions Disturbance of hormonal metabolism Dermatological effects Suffocation and lung embolism

GROUP MEMBERS
Tristan Charran Fabian Sealey Denzel Bagot Crystal Barclay Ashley Persaud Sophia Raghunandan Christy Caleb