The steps involved in the manufacture of sulphuric acid by contact process:
(1) Sulphur (or iron pyrites) are burnt in air to form sulphur dioxide.
S+O2→SO24FeS2+11O2→2Fe2O3+8SO2
(2) Catalytic oxidation of sulphur dioxide to sulphur trioxide.
2SO2+O2V2O52SO3ΔrHo=−196.6kJ
The reaction is reversible and exothermic.
(3) Sulphur trioxide is dissolved in 98% sulphuric acid to form oleum (fuming sulphuric acid).
SO3+H2SO4→H2S2O7
(4) Oleum is diluted with water to form sulphuric acid of desired concentration.
H2S2O7+H2O→2H2SO4
and
Manufacture of H2SO4 by contact process involves three steps:
1. Burning of sulphur in air to generate SO2.
2. Conversion of SO2 to SO3 by oxidation with air in the presence of
