Which metal catalyst is used to prepare sulphuric acid in contact process?
Which metal catalyst is used to prepare sulphuric acid in contact process?
Solution and Explanation
The Contact Process is a widely used method for producing sulfuric acid on an industrial scale. This process relies on a catalyst to facilitate the oxidation of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) to sulfur trioxide (SO₃), which is the key intermediate in the production of sulfuric acid. The most commonly used catalyst in the contact process is vanadium pentoxide (V₂O₅).
Vanadium pentoxide is employed as a solid catalyst that is packed into a reactor. In this reactor, it comes into contact with a mixture of sulfur dioxide, oxygen, and nitrogen gases. The reaction between sulfur dioxide and oxygen is highly exothermic, meaning it releases a significant amount of heat, and results in the formation of sulfur trioxide gas.
The overall reaction for the oxidation of sulfur dioxide to sulfur trioxide can be represented by the following equation:
2SO₂(g) + O₂(g) → 2SO₃(g)
Once formed, sulfur trioxide is absorbed into a solution of existing sulfuric acid, where it reacts to form oleum (H₂S₂O₇), which is then diluted to produce concentrated sulfuric acid. This absorption step is also highly exothermic and releases additional heat.
The use of vanadium pentoxide as a catalyst in the contact process is particularly effective because it significantly lowers the activation energy required for the reaction, allowing it to proceed at a practical rate under moderate conditions. The process is not only efficient but also enables the production of high-purity sulfuric acid on a large scale, which is vital for many industrial applications such as fertilizers, detergents, and chemical synthesis.
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Concepts Used:
Catalysis
All reactants need to overcome certain energy, better known as activation energy in order to form products. This activation energy is the difference between the energy of the transition state and the reactant species.
Types of Catalysis:
Catalysis of chemical reactions is generally divided into two categories:
- Homogeneous Catalysis: Homogeneous catalysis of chemical reactions is a process where the reactants involved in the reaction and the catalyst are in the same phase. For example hydrolysis of sugar in the presence of sulphuric acid.
- Heterogeneous Catalysis: Heterogeneous catalysis of chemical reactions is a process where the reactants involved in the reaction and the catalyst are in different phases. For example reaction of hydrogen and nitrogen in the presence of finely divided iron to form ammonia.