sulfuric acid: Production of Sulfuric Acid
Production of Sulfuric Acid
There are two major processes (lead chamber and contact) for production of sulfuric acid, and it is available commercially in a number of grades and concentrations. The lead chamber process, the older of the two processes, is used to produce much of the acid used to make fertilizers; it produces a relatively dilute acid (62%–78% H2SO4). The contact process produces a purer, more concentrated acid but requires purer raw materials and the use of expensive catalysts. In both processes sulfur dioxide is oxidized and dissolved in water. The sulfur dioxide is obtained by burning sulfur, by burning pyrites (iron sulfides), by roasting nonferrous sulfide ores preparatory to smelting, or by burning hydrogen sulfide gas. Some sulfuric acid is also made from ferrous sulfate waste solutions from pickling iron and steel and from waste acid sludge from oil refineries.
Sections in this article:
- Introduction
- History of Sulfuric Acid
- Uses of Sulfuric Acid
- Contact Process
- Lean Chamber Process
- Production of Sulfuric Acid
- Dilute Sulfuric Acid
- Concentrated Sulfuric Acid
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