Sulphuric Acid

Presentation by:
- Harvey Khoo
- Cara Chan
- Kheng Yong Guan
- Chan Joo Yuen
- Yeong Wan Chi
- Christopher Teoh

Properties of Sulphuric Acid

Non flammable under normal conditions

Highly reactive

Release toxic and irritating fumes when heated to decomposition

Gas-tight protective suits with breathing apparatus required for

fuming acid

Short-term inhalation may result in irritation of eyes and nose

with sore throat, cough

Short-term ingestion results in burns to the mouth and throat

Short-term skin exposure can result in irritation, swelling or burns

Short-term eye exposure may cause swelling, watering and

sensitivity to light

Long term inhalation leads to inflammation of the lungs

Uses of Sulphuric Acid

Used to remove oxides from the
surface of metal (metallurgy)
One of the most important industrial
chemicals
Used in manufacturing of almost all
products

Uses of Sulphuric Acid

18%

Making
Fertilizers

1%

38%

Paints
Chemicals
Detergents

12%

Removing rust
from steel
Other Uses
18%
13%

 Mainly

used in producing fertilizers

a) Superphosphate fertilizers:
Sulphuric Acid + Carbon Phosphate
2H2SO4 + Ca3(PO4)2 Ca(H2PO4)2
b) Ammonia Sulphate fertilizers:
Sulphuric Acid + Ammonia
2NH3 + H2SO4 (NH4)2SO4

Sulphonic

acid reacts with sodium hydroxide to

form a sodium alkyl sulphonate, which is
detergent.

Manufacture of Sulphuric Acid

Sulphuric

acid is made from

sulphur dioxide, SO2, by the
Contact Process.
The raw materials used are
sulphur, air and water and it
consists of 3 stages.

Contact Process Stages

Stage 1
In the furnace, sulphur is burnt in dry air at a temperature
100C to produce sulphur dioxide
Step 1: In the burner
S + O2 SO2

Stage 2
In the converter, sulphur dioxide, SO2 and excess oxygen gas,
O2 are passed over a few plates of vanadium(V)oxide, V2O5
catalyst at 450C to produce sulphur trioxide, SO3.
2SO2 + O2 2SO3

Stage 3
In the absorber, the sulphur trioxide, SO3 is first reacted with concentration sulphuric acid,
H2SO4 to form a product called oleum.
Step 3: Absorption of SO3
SO3 + H2SO4 H2S2O7

The oleum, H2S2O7 is a dilute with water to produce concentrated sulphuric acid, H2SO4 in large
quantities.
Step 4: Hydration of oleum
H2S2O7 + H20 2H2SO4

The two reactions in the 3rd stage are equivalent to adding sulphur trioxide, SO3 directly to water.
SO3 + H20 H2S04

This reaction is not carried out in the industry because it is too vigorous.

It produces a large cloud of sulphuric acid mist. This mist is corrosive and pollutes the air.

Sulphur Dioxide and Environmental Pollution

Effects

towards humans:
- Coughing
- Bronchitis
- Chest Pain
- Lung diseases
- Shortness of Breath

Can

cause acid rain

Due to reaction of SO2, with rainwater
2SO2 + O2 + 2H2O 2H2SO4

Bad Effects of Acid Rain

Air Pollutions

Cause
respiratory
problems for
humans
Corrodes
buildings and
metal
structures
especially with
carbonate and
active metals

Soil Pollutions

pH value of the
soil decreases

Salts are
leached out of
the top soil

Roots of trees
are destroyed

Plants die of
malnutrition and
diseases

Water Pollutions

Lakes and
rivers becomes
acidic

A threat to
aquatic life
because the
decrease of the
pH value of the
water

Reducing Acid Rain

Most acids causing acid rain are from:

Sulphuric Acid
SO2 + H2O H2SO4

Sulphurous Acid
SO2 + H2O H2SO3

Carbonic Acid
CO2 + H2O H2CO3

But, it can be reduced by reacting the gas with: Calcium Carbonate

CaCO3 + SO2 CaSO3 + CO2

Calcium Oxide
CaO + SO2 CaSO3
4CaO + 4SO2 + 2O2 4CaSO4

Calcium Sulphate
2CaSo3 + O2 2CaSO4

Reducing the Acidity in the Lakes, River & Soil

It

can be reduced with the following

chemicals
Calcium Oxide
CaO + 2H+ Ca2+ + H2O
Calcium Hydroxide
Ca(OH)2 + 2H+ Ca2+ + 2H2O
Calcium Carbonate
CaCO3 + 2H Ca2+ + H2O + CO2