Sulphuric Acid The uses of sulphuric acid in daily life

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 from the reaction

between sulphuric acid and aqueous ammonia.

b) The fertilizer, potassium sulphate, is prepared from the reaction between sulphuric acid and potassium hydroxide.

3. The other uses of sulphuric acid are a) To manufacture detergent b) To manufacture synthetic fibers (a type of polyment) c) To manufacture paint pigmentd) As an electrolyte in lead acid accumulatorse) To remove the metal oxide from metal surfaces before

electroplating

H2SO4 + 2NH3 (NH4)2SO4 (ammonium sulphate)

H2SO4 + 2KOH K2SO4 + 2H2O (potassium sulphate)

The manufacture of sulpuric acid

Environment Pollution by Sulphur Dioxide

1. Sulphuric acid is manufactured by contact process in the industry.2. The raw material used in the contact process are sulphur, air and

water.3. The contact process involve three 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 catalystb) A temperature of between 450°C - 550°C.c) A pressure of one atmosphere

2SO2 + O2 2SO3

6. Stage 3 : Two process are involved 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

1. Sulphur dioxide is a poisonous and acidic gas that can cause environmental pollution. Inhaling sulphur dioxide can cause lung diseases.

2. The source of sulphur dioxide is from the burning of fossil fuels such as petroleum. Most of the fossil fuels contain some sulphur.

3. Sulphur dioxide gas dissolve in atmospheric water to produce sulphurous acid, H2SO3 and suphuric acid, H2SO4. The presence of these acids rain water can causes acid rain.

4. The effects of acid rain as follows :a) Corrodes concrete buildings and metal structuresb) Destroys trees and plants in forestsc) Makes the soil acidic here hence unsuitable for growth of

plantsd) Makes the water in lakes and rivers acidic and may destroy

aquatic life