Sulphuric acid manufacture

[Karishma Attarkar 11CHE1007]

In sulfuric acid manufacturing process, even though DCDA (Double contact double absorption) provides higher concentration but it has following drawbacks:

1. 10-15% more equipment costing

2. Higher energy demand

3. Lower energy extraction from steam

So, it would be more favorable to treat SO2 with NH3 where NH3 acts as scrubber forming ammonium sulfite. This sulfite can be treated H2SO4 to form ammonium sulfate and SO2 can be released, which can be recycled back. And the coproduct ammonium sulfate is very important in fertilizer industry. And this also helps to maintain the conc. of SO2 below permissible limits.

[Vishwanath Dalvi]

Right.  But how will we get phosphoric acid?

[Karishma Attarkar 11CHE1007]

Sir, no phosphoric acid is required for the operation of this process and the sulfuric acid required can be taken as a stream from the same plant itself.

[Vishwanath Dalvi]

Of course, sorry.  I meant sulfuric acid, of course :)  How will we get sulfuric acid?

 

You will find, once your friends present caprolactam, that this solutions is not as straightforward as you make it out to be.  :)

 

But good thinking:)

[Utkarsh Shah]

But i think here the overall reaction is H2SO4 + 2NH3 giving (NH4)2SO4. We're still stuck with SO2, Right?