INDUSTRIAL ACIDS

I. Properties of Acids
1. Aqueous solutions have a sour taste
2. Some acids react with active metals to release hydrogen:
Zn(s) + H2SO4(aq) → ZnSO4(aq) + H2(g)
3. Acids react with bases to produce salts and water:
HCl(aq) + NaOH(aq) → NaCl(aq) + H2O(l)
4. Acids conduct electric current
5. Acids change the color of acid-base indicators:
Blue litmus turns red
Methyl orange turns red
6. Have a pH of less than 7
7. Donate protons, H+
8. React with carbonates
9. Neutralize bases

II. Some common industrial acids:

 Sulfuric Acid(Oil of Vitriol)
- Highest volume production of any chemical in the U.S.
- Used in the production of paper, fertilizers, petroleum refining & car batteries
 Nitric Acid(aqua fortis/spirit of niter)
- Used in the production of rubber, plastics, pharmaceuticals, fertilizers & explosives
- Nitric acid is a volatile acid – its reactive components evaporate easily.
 Hydrochloric Acid
- Used in the pickling of steel
- Used to purify magnesium from sea water
- Used to correct swimming pool pH
- Part of gastric juice, it aids in the digestion of protein
- Sold commercially as “Muriatic acid”
 Phosphoric Acid
- A flavoring agent in sodas
- Used in the manufacture of detergents & fertilizers
- Not a common laboratory reagent
 Acetic Acid
- Concentrated “glacial” acetic acid used in the manufacture of plastics
- Used in making pharmaceuticals
- Acetic acid is the acid present in vinegar
III. Manufacturing process of common acids
A. Sulfuric Acid
- Sulfuric acid is produced by catalytic oxidation of sulfur dioxide to sulfur trioxide, which is
subsequently absorbed in water to form sulfuric acid. In practice the sulfur trioxide is absorbed
in sulfuric acid which is kept at a controlled concentration (usually 98%) by the addition of
water.
- The two most common methods for the conversion of sulfur dioxide to sulfuric acid are
1. Lead Chamber Process:
This is an old process and was introduced in Europe in near the middle of 18th century.
This method uses nitrogen oxides as oxygen carrying catalysts for the conversion of sulfur
dioxide to sulfur trioxide. The reactions which produce the sulfur trioxide and sulfuric acid take
place within the huge lead chambers or in packed towers which may be substituted for the
chambers. Chambers process produced acid of concentration less than 80 %.The major
disadvantage includes the limitations in throughput, quality and concentration of the acid
produced. All known new plants uses the Contact process although some older Chamber
process plants may still be in use.
2. Contact Process:
In the contact process, the sulfur dioxide is converted to sulfur trioxide by the use of
metal oxide catalyst. Platinum was once widely used as catalyst but because of it’s excessive first
cost and susceptibility to poisoning, it has been largely replaced by vanadium oxide. The
vanadium pentaoxide is dispersed on a porous carrier in a pellet form. The characteristics of the
catalyst which can be used are mentioned as follows:
a. Porous carrier having large surface area, controlled pore size and resistance to process
gases at high temperature; in pellet form if used in fixed bed and powdered form if used for
fluidized bed. Ex- Alumina, silica gel, zeolites.
b. Active catalytic agent: Vanadium pentaoxide in this case. Preparations are generally kept
secret for the competitive reasons but they usually consist of adding water soluble
compounds to gels or porous substrates and firing at temperature below the sintering
point.
c. Promoter: Alkali and/or metallic compounds added in trace amounts to enhance the
activity of the catalytic agent.

B. Nitric Acid
The Ostwald process is a chemical process for making nitric acid (HNO 3). Wilhelm
Ostwald developed the process, and he patented it in 1902. The Ostwald process is a mainstay
of the modern chemical industry, and it provides the main raw material for the most common
type of fertilizer production. Historically and practically, the Ostwald process is closely
associated with the Haber process, which provides the requisite raw material, ammonia (NH 3).
1. Ammonia is converted to nitric acid in 2 stages. It is oxidized by heating with oxygen in the
presence of a catalyst such as platinum with 10% rhodium, to form nitric oxide and water. This
step is strongly exothermic, making it a useful heat source once initiated:
4 NH3 (g) + 5 O2 (g) → 4 NO (g) + 6 H2O (g) (ΔH = −905.2 kJ)
2. Stage two encompasses two reactions and is carried out in an absorption apparatus containing
water. Initially nitric oxide is oxidized again to yield nitrogen oxide: This gas is then readily
 absorbed by the water, yielding the desired product (nitric acid, albeit in a dilute form), while
reducing a portion of it back to nitric oxide:
2 NO (g) + O2 (g) → 2 NO2 (g) (ΔH = −114 kJ/mol)
3 NO2 (g) + H2O (l) → 2 HNO3 (aq) + NO (g) (ΔH = −117 kJ/mol)
The NO is recycled, and the acid is concentrated to the required strength by distillation.
3. Alternatively, if the last step is carried out in air:
4 NO2 (g) + O2 (g) + 2 H2O (l) → 4 HNO3 (aq)
Typical conditions for the first stage, which contribute to an overall yield of about 98%, are:
a. Pressure is between 4 and 10 standard atmospheres (410 and 1,000 kPa; 59 and 150 psi) and
b. Temperature is about 500 K (230 °C; 440 °F).

IV. Arrhenius Acid - A chemical compound that increases the concentration of hydrogen ions, H+, in
aqueous solution.

V. Strength of Acids
- Strong acids completely ionize in solution. (100%)
- Weak acids ionize only slightly and are weak electrolytes.(<5%)
VI. Strength vs. Concentration
- Strength refers to ionization in solution.
- Concentration refers to the amount of solute in solution.
- It is possible to have a concentrated solution of a weak acid or base.
- It is also possible to have dilute solution of a strong acid or base.
VII. Organic Acids
- Organic acids all contain the “carboxyl” group, sometimes several of them.

- The carboxyl group is a poor proton donor, so ALL organic acids are weak acids.
- Examples of organic acids:
a. Citric acid in citrus fruit
b. Malic acid in sour apples
c. Deoxyribonucleic acid, DNA
d. Amino acids, the building blocks of protein
e. Lactic acid in sour milk and sore muscles
f. Butyric acid in rancid butter

VII. Types of Acids

1. Monoprotic Acids – can donate one H atom

Examples: HC2H3O2 ; HCl
2. Polyprotic Acids
a. Diprotic Acids – can donate two H atoms
Example: H2SO4
b. Triprotic Acids – can donate 3 H atoms
• Example: H3C6H5O7 ; H3PO4
Technological Institute of the Philippines
College of Engineering and Architecture
363 P. Casal, Quiapo, Manila

Industrial Acids
CHE 410

Submitted by:
Aballa, Jane Eilyza G.

Submitted to:
Engr. Lina Dela Cruz

Date:
Feb 27 2020