Industrial Catalysis
Manufacture of sulphuric acid
The manufacture of sulphuric acid is a two-stage process. The first stage is the oxidation of sulphur dioxide and it uses a vanadium oxide catalyst.
Summary of conditions and catalyst for sulphur dioxide oxidation
world annual production |
greater than 140 million tonnes per year |
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temperature |
700 K |
catalyst |
V2O5 on a ceramic base |
conversion |
approximately 99% |
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Uses of sulphuric acid |
The two main stages in the manufacture of sulphuric acid.
oxidation of sulphur dioxide |
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2SO2 + O2 |
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2SO3 |
DH = - 192 kJmol-1 at 700K |
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absorption of sulphur trioxide |
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SO3 + H2O |
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H2SO4 |
DH = - 115 kJmol-1
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Main stages in the manufacture of sulphuric acid
More on the catalyst
Catalyst V2O5 on a ceramic base. (The catalyst is in the form of cylindrical pellets, 8mm diameter, 12 mm long, packed into a bed 8 m diameter and 600 mm deep. The catalyst is in more than one bed with cooling between beds. The first bed has a lifetime of about 5 years, a third or fourth bed can last between 15 and 20 years).
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