ChemistryNEB 2074 (old course) (grade increment)

How is sulphuric acid manufactured by contact process. Write the action of Conc. H2SO4 on [6+4] i) Glucose ii) Phosphorous iii) Copper Give an important use of Conc. H2SO4 .

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Answer

S+O2O₂ (air), 400–450°CSO2
Step 1: Burning sulphur in air to produce sulphur dioxide (exothermic reaction)
2SO2+O2V₂O₅ catalyst, 450°C2SO3
Step 2: Oxidation of SO₂ to SO₃ (contact process) with vanadium(V) oxide catalyst
SO3+H2SO4exothermicH2S2O7
Step 3: Formation of oleum (pyrosulphuric acid, H₂S₂O₇) by reaction of SO₃ with conc. H₂SO₄
H2S2O7+H2Odilution2H2SO4
Step 4: Dilution of oleum with water to produce concentrated sulphuric acid (98%)

Manufacture of Sulphuric Acid by the Contact Process

Sulphuric acid () is one of the most important industrial chemicals and is manufactured on a large scale by the contact process. This process involves the following key steps:

Sulphuric acidSulphuric acid
Structure of Sulphuric acid

1. Production of Sulphur Dioxide ()

  • Sulphur or sulphide ores (e.g., pyrite, ) are burned in excess air to produce sulphur dioxide.
    • Sulphur is melted and sprayed into a furnace where it burns in air to form .
    • Impurities like arsenic and dust are removed by passing the gas through dust chambers and electrostatic precipitators.

2. Oxidation of to (Contact Process)

  • The gas is mixed with more air and passed over a vanadium(V) oxide () catalyst at 450°C and 1–2 atm pressure.
    • The reaction is exothermic, so a moderate temperature (450°C) is maintained to maximize yield (Le Chatelier’s principle).
    • The catalyst () is used to speed up the reaction without being consumed.

3. Conversion of to Oleum ()

  • is highly reactive and is dissolved in 98% concentrated sulphuric acid to form oleum (pyrosulphuric acid):
    • Oleum is stored and transported because cannot be dissolved directly in water (it forms a mist of droplets, which is difficult to handle).

4. Dilution of Oleum to Produce Concentrated

  • Oleum is diluted with water to produce 98% concentrated sulphuric acid:
    • The reaction is highly exothermic, so water is added slowly to oleum to prevent splattering.

Purification and Packaging

  • The final product is purified by distillation to remove impurities.
  • Concentrated (98%) is stored in lead-lined iron tanks to prevent corrosion.

Action of Concentrated

P4+5H2SO4heat4H3PO4+SO2
Oxidation of phosphorus by concentrated sulphuric acid (forms phosphoric acid and SO₂)
Cu+2H2SO4heatCuSO4+SO2+H2O
Reaction of copper with concentrated sulphuric acid (forms copper(II) sulphate, SO₂, and water)

(i) Action on Glucose ()

  • Concentrated acts as a dehydrating agent and removes water molecules from glucose, leading to carbonization (blackening).
    • The glucose is first dehydrated to form charcoal (C) and water.
    • The reaction is highly exothermic and results in the formation of a black residue.
glucoseglucoseconc. H₂SO₄, Δ6C+6H2O
Dehydration of glucose by concentrated sulphuric acid (exothermic, black residue of carbon)

(ii) Action on Phosphorus ()

  • Concentrated oxidizes phosphorus to form phosphorus pentoxide () and sulphur dioxide ():
    • The reaction produces white fumes of (which reacts with moisture to form phosphoric acid, ).
    • gas is also evolved, which has a choking smell.

(iii) Action on Copper ()

  • Concentrated acts as an oxidizing agent and oxidizes copper to form copper(II) sulphate () and sulphur dioxide ():
    • The reaction is slow at room temperature but speeds up upon heating.
    • A blue solution of is formed, and gas (with a pungent smell) is evolved.

Important Use of Concentrated

One of the most important uses of concentrated is in the manufacture of fertilizers, particularly:

  • Ammonium sulphate () – Used as a nitrogenous fertilizer.
  • It is also used in:
    • Petroleum refining (as a catalyst in alkylation).
    • Dye and detergent industries (as a dehydrating agent).
    • Battery acid (in lead-acid batteries).
    • Laboratory reagent (for dehydration, nitration, and sulfonation reactions).

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