C12 - Sulfur

Question 1

Manufacturing process of sulfuric acid by the Contact process

Answer 1

1. A spray of molten sulfure is burned in a furnace using dry air and sulfur dioxide is formed: S(l) + O2(g) -› SO2(g)
2. Dioxide is cooled and reacted with mmore air in the converter to form sulfur trioxide
   
   1. Happens at about 450 degrees atmospheric pressure and with the catalyst vanadium oxide: V(2)O(5)2SO(2)(g) +O(2)(g) -› 2SO(3)(g)
3. Surfur trioxide is absorbed into a 98% solution of sulfuric acid in a tower called the absorber
   
   1. This forms a thick liquid known as oleum: SO(3) + H(2)SO(4) -› H(2)S(2)O(7)
4. Oleum is mixed with a little water to make concentrated 98% sulfuric acid: H(2)S(2)O(7) + H(2)O -› 2H(2)SO(4)

Question 2

Properties of dilute sulfuric acid

Answer 2

• It reacts with metals above hydrogen in the reactivity series to form a salt and hydrogen.
• It reacts with metal oxides to form a salt and water
• It reacts with metal hydroxides to form a salt and water
• It reacts with carbonates to form a salt, water and carbon dioxide
• It can form hydrogensulfates by the replacement of one of the hydrogen ions in sulfuric acid