1. Sulphuric Acid
The uses of sulphuric acid in dailylife
1. Sulphuric acid is an important chemical used to make other
manufactured substances.
2. A big portion of sulphuric acid is used to make fertiliser :
a) The fertilizer, ammonium sulphate, is prepared fromthe reaction
between sulphuric acid and aqueous ammonia.
b) The fertilizer, potassiumsulphate, is prepared fromthe reaction
between sulphuric acid and potassiumhydroxide.
3. The other uses of sulphuric acid are
a) To manufacturedetergent
b) To manufacturesynthetic fibers (a type of polyment)
c) To manufacturepaint pigment
d) As an electrolyte in lead acid accumulators
e) To remove the metal oxide frommetal surfaces before
electroplating
H2SO4 + 2NH3 (NH4)2SO4 (ammonium sulphate)
H2SO4 + 2KOH K2SO4 + 2H2O (potassium sulphate)
2. The manufacture of sulpuric acid
1. Sulphuric acid is manufactured by contact process in the industry.
2. The raw material used in the contact process aresulphur, air and
water.
3. The contact process involvethree stages :
Sulphur Sulphur dioxide Sulphur trioxide
Sulphuric acid
4. Stage 1 : Production of sulphur dioxide gas, SO2, by burning of
sulphur with air.
S + O2 SO2
5. Stage 2 : Conversion of sulphur dioxide to sulphur trioxide, SO3 in
the following conditions :
a) The presence of vanadium(V) oxide, V2O5 as catalyst
b) A temperature of between 450°C - 550°C.
c) A pressureof one atmosphere
2SO2 + O2 2SO3
6. Stage 3 : Two process areinvolved here :
a) Sulphur trioxide is dissolves in concentrated sulphuric
acid to produce oleum, H2S2O7, a viscous liquid.
SO3 + H2SO4 H2S2O7
b) Oleum is then diluted with water to produce
concentrated sulphric acid.
H2S2O7 + H2O 2H2SO4
3. Environment Pollutionby SulphurDioxide
1. Sulphur dioxide is a poisonous and acidic gas that can cause
environmental pollution. Inhaling sulphur dioxide can causelung
diseases.
2. The sourceof sulphur dioxide is from the burning of fossilfuels such
as petroleum. Most of the fossilfuels contain some sulphur.
3. Sulphur dioxide gas dissolvein atmospheric water to produce
sulphurous acid, H2SO3 and suphuric acid, H2SO4. Thepresenceof
these acids rain water can causes acid rain.
4. The effects of acid rain as follows :
a) Corrodes concretebuildings and metal structures
b) Destroys trees and plants in forests
c) Makes the soil acidic here hence unsuitablefor growth of
plants
d) Makes the water in lakes and rivers acidic and may destroy
aquatic life
