Problem set Sulfuric Acid

1. In the manufacture of sulfuric acid by the Contact Process, The feed is burned completely and
analysis of the Burner gas shows 7.70% SO2, 11.02% O2 and 81.28% N2
Calculate the % of the Sulfur in the feed that is converted to SO 3 if the feed to the Burner is
a) Sulfur
b) Pyrites

2. One hundred pounds per hour of pyrites containing 90% FeS 2 and 10% gangue are burned with
20% excess air based on conversion to SO3. The cinder discharged from the burner contains no
sulfur. No conversion to SO3 occurs in the burner. The burner gas is passed through a converter
which effects a 98% conversion of SO2 to SO3. The converter gas is passed to an absorber where
all the SO3 is absorbed by 80% H2SO4 solution, which becomes 100% H2SO4 solution in the
process. Calculate the following:
a. The burner gas analysis
b. The converter gas analysis
c. The absorber gas analysis
d. The pounds of 100% H2SO4 produced per 24-h day.