Sulphur and Sulphuric

Acid
Properties of Sulfur
• Atomic Weight: 32
• Two forms: Rhombic and Monoclinic
• Melting point of rhombic is 112.8 degree°C
• Melting point of monoclinic is l19 degree°C
• lnsoluble in water, but soluble in ammonia and other solvents
Sulphur Processes

1. Frasch process - Elemental Sulphur mining

2. Claus process - Oxidation-reduction process
3. Finnish process - from pyrite
FRASCH Process
CLAUS Process
CLAUS Process Reactions

a) 2H2S + 3O2 → 2SO2 + 2H2O

b) 4H2S + 2SO2 → S6(g) + 4H2O
 Sulphuric acid or Sulfuric acid
Sulphuric acid is a colourless dense oily corrosive liquid produced by
the reaction of sulphur trioxide with water and used in accumulators and
in the manufacture of fertilizers, dyes, and explosives.
Formula: H2SO4

 King of compounds
 Oil of vitriol
 Dipping acid
 Battery acid
 Electrolyte acid
 Mattling acid
 Dihydrogen sulphate
 Products made by Sulphur
• 75% of the Sulfuric Acid that is produced is used to
make fertilizers such as

• Superphosphate
• Single superphosphate (SSP)
• Ammonium sulphate
• Potassium sulphate
• Magnesium sulphate
Sulphuric Acid Products
Manufacturing of Sulphuric acid

There are two main industrial processes

for manufacturing of sulphuric acid.

 Contact process (98-99%)

 Lead chamber process (~ 70%)
Sources of SO2
i. Sulfur burning
ii. Pyrites roasting
iii. Metal sulfide roasting and smelting
iv. Metal sulfate roasting
v. Combustion of H2S or other sulfur-
containing gases
Double Catalytic Convertor
Contact Chamber

V2O5
LEAD Chamber Process
➢ This process contain several steps.
➢ Carried out in large lead lined chamber.
➢ SO2 is obtained by burning Sulphur in burner.
➢ S + O2 → SO2
➢ 4 FeS2 + 11 O2 → 2 Fe2O3 + 8 SO2
➢ Sulphur dioxide passes through lead chamber in the presence of O2,
NO, NO2 along with steam.
➢ SO2 is converted into H2SO4.
➢ Acid is 60-70% H2SO4.
Stages of Lead Chamber Process

1. Pyrite burners
2. Nitre pots
3. Glover towers
4. Lead chambers
5. Gay-lussac tower
6. Coolers
7. Purification of acid chamber
Pyrite burners

➢ Combustion of sulphur or sulphites is carried out in a mechanical

furnace or the flash roaster.
➢ Here the S is converted into SO2.
➢ Dust Removal

i. S + O2 ——-> SO2
ii. 4FeS2 + 11O2 —–> 2Fe2O3 + 8SO2
Nitre Pot
➢ Contain the mixture of NaNO3 and H2SO4 .
➢ Tower is about 15 × 50 feet .
➢ Lined with acid proof cement.
➢ oxide of nitrogen is obtained by heating NaNO3 and concentrated
H2SO4.
i. NaNO3 + H2SO4 (concentrated) ——-> NaHSO4 + HNO3
ii. 4 HNO3 —–> 2H2O + NO2 + O2
iii. 4 HNO3 ——> 2H2O + 4NO + 3O2 Old Process

i. 4NH3 + O2 ——->
Pt
800C
4NO + 6H2O
New Process
ii. 2NO + O2 —–> 2NO2
Glover’s Tower 400°C ~ 660°C
Major Function of glover rower are :

a. Cooling the gases coming from pyrite burner

b. Conversion of some SO2 into SO3.
c. Concentrate the dilute acid.
d. Recovery of oxides of nitrogen from Gay-lussac tower.
e. Cleaning the burner gases.

Nitrosyl Sulfuric Acid

i. 2(NO.HSO4) + H2O ——-> 4NO2 +NO + 2H2SO4
ii. SO2 + NO + O2+ H2O —–> 2H2SO4 + NO
Lead Chamber
➢ Box like room made up of sheet lead.

➢ No. of chamber are between 3-12.

➢ The gases from previous chamber enter in lead chamber at 99 *C

➢ Chamber controlled through gas colour change and through

temperature.

i. SO2 + NO2 +H 2 O ——-> H2SO4+NO

ii. NO + O2 +SO 2 +H 2 O —–> H2SO4+NO
Functions of lead chamber
i. Afford space and time for reaction.

ii. Conversion of SO2 into SO3.

iii. To radiate heat produced by chemical reaction.

iv. Furnished surface for condensation of the acid mist formed.

 Gay-Lussac’s Tower
➢ Filled with tile or tile packing.

➢ Provide maximum area for contact.

➢ Also recover oxides of nitrogen coming from gases coming from lead
chamber.

i. 4NH3 + O2 ——-> 4NO + 6H2O

ii. NO + NO2 +H 2 SO 4 —–> 2(NO.HSO4) + H2O
 Reaction Involved
1st Step Pyrite Burner
i. S + O2 ——-> SO2
ii. 4FeS2 + 11O2 —–> 2Fe2O3 + 8SO2
2nd Step Nitre Pot
i. 4NH3 + O2 ——-> 4NO + 6H2O
ii. 2NO + O2 —–> 2NO2
3rd Step Glover’s Tower

i. 2(NO.HSO4) + H2O ——-> 4NO2 +NO + 2H2SO4

ii. SO2 + NO + O2+ H2O —–> 2H2SO4 + NO
 4th Lead Chamber

i. SO2 + NO2 +H 2 O ——-> H2SO4+NO

ii. NO + O2 +SO 2 +H 2 O —–> H2SO4+NO

5th Step Gay-Lussac’s Tower

i. 4NH3 + O2 ——-> 4NO + 6H2O

ii. NO + NO2 +H 2 SO 4 —–> 2(NO.HSO4) + H2O