Question:
Write the conditions to maximize the yield of H2SO4 by Contact process.
Solution:
Manufacture of sulphuric acid by Contact process involves three steps.
1. Burning of ores to form SO2
2. Conversion of SO2 to SO3 by the reaction of the former with O2
(V2O5 is used in this process as a catalyst.)
3. Absorption of SO3 in H2SO4 to give oleum (H2S2O7)
The key step in this process is the second step. In this step, two moles of gaseous reactants combine to give one mole of gaseous product. Also, this reaction is exothermic. Thus, in accordance with Le Chatelier’s principle, to obtain the maximum amount of SO3 gas, temperature should be low and pressure should be high.