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Sulfuric Acid Production Process Guide

The document outlines the production process of sulfuric acid, detailing the conversion of sulfur dioxide (SO2) to sulfur trioxide (SO3) and then to sulfuric acid (H2SO4) through various stages including absorption and oxidation. It also discusses the composition of aqueous sulfuric acid and oleum, along with methods for analyzing the absorber's performance and material balances. References to industrial stoichiometry are provided for further understanding of the chemical calculations involved in the manufacturing process.

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Fran Lee
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215 views11 pages

Sulfuric Acid Production Process Guide

The document outlines the production process of sulfuric acid, detailing the conversion of sulfur dioxide (SO2) to sulfur trioxide (SO3) and then to sulfuric acid (H2SO4) through various stages including absorption and oxidation. It also discusses the composition of aqueous sulfuric acid and oleum, along with methods for analyzing the absorber's performance and material balances. References to industrial stoichiometry are provided for further understanding of the chemical calculations involved in the manufacturing process.

Uploaded by

Fran Lee
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

SULFURIC ACID PRODUCTION

air

SO2
Raw S SO2 SO3
or catalytic more SO3
burner O2 N2
FeS2 converter O2 N2

contact
water absorption
slaker tower
lime tower

bisulfites sulfuric acid solution


(Ca(HSO3)2, Mg(HSO3)2) oleum
sulfates (CaSO4, MgSO4)
SULFURIC ACID PRODUCTION

𝑆𝑂 𝐻 𝑂 → 𝐻 𝑆𝑂
SULFURIC ACID PRODUCTION

𝑆𝑂 𝐻 𝑂 → 𝐻 𝑆𝑂

no p re a er alone
but, water in strong sulfuric acid

Because: VP of water is sufficiently


high to cause the formation of an acid
mist that hinders absorption
SULFURIC ACID PRODUCTION

H2SO4(aq)
Oleum
SULFURIC ACID PRODUCTION

1 Aqueous sulfuric acid


• H2SO4 + H2O
• Example: 98% H2SO4

Basis: 100 lb solution


SULFURIC ACID PRODUCTION

2 Oleum
• f i g lf ic acid
• H2SO4 + dissolved SO3 (free SO3)

a % Oleum - %free SO3 by weight

Ex: 20% oleum


SULFURIC ACID PRODUCTION

b % Total H2SO4
• when diluted with water, any free SO3 in
the oleum is converted to H2SO4
98
% %
80

c % Total SO3
• Total SO3 is the sum of free SO3 and SO3
in the H2SO4 solution
80
% %
98
SULFURIC ACID PRODUCTION

Absorber Analysis

1 Check if oxidation of SO2 occurs in the absorber.


• If O2,WG is not equal to O2, CG then oxidation
happens. The O2 used for the oxidation is:

∆𝑂 𝑂 𝐶𝐺 𝑂 𝐺

• From the given converter gas (CG) and ∆O2,


compute for the SO3 available for
absorption (nSO3).
SULFURIC ACID PRODUCTION

Absorber Analysis

2 Perform OMB and component balance (SO3


or H2SO4) to determine the amount of the
absorbing fluid (A) and the product acid (B)
If weak H2SO4 solution is used to produce strong H2SO4 solution:

𝐵: 𝐴 80 𝐵
Note: oleum = free SO3 (as %oleum) + H2SO4
80 80
: 𝐴 %𝐻 80 𝐵 % %𝐻
98 98

Note: The material balance will change if there in SO3 present (as unabsorbed) in the
waste gas. The SO3 in the above equations is the SO3 available for absorption!
SULFURIC ACID PRODUCTION

Absorber Analysis

2 Perform OMB and component balance (SO3


or H2SO4) to determine the amount of the
absorbing fluid (A) and the product acid (B)
If strong H2SO4 solution is used to produce oleum:

𝐵: 𝐴 80 𝐵

80 80
: 𝐴 %𝐻 80 𝐵 %𝐻
98 98

Note: The material balance will change if there in SO3 present (as unabsorbed) in the
waste gas. The SO3 in the above equations is the SO3 available for absorption!
REFERENCES
Lewis, W. K., et al. (1954). Industrial
Stoichiometry: Chemical Calculations of
Manufacturing Processes. McGraw Hill
Book Company, Inc.

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