Name some sources of sulfur
In mines, volcanic emissions, hot springs, hydrothermal vents and as a by product of the oil-refining industry.
State the use of sulfur in the manufacture of
sulfuric acid
Sulfur burns in air to form sulfur dioxide which is used to form sulfur trioxide and so on to produce sulphuric acid.
State the uses of sulfur dioxide
As a bleach in the manufacture of wood pulp for paper and as a food preservative (by killing bacteria)
Describe the manufacture of sulfuric acid by the Contact process, including essential conditions and reactions
- S (s) + O2 (g) → SO2 (g)
Sulfur burns in air to form sulfur dioxide - 2SO2 (g) + O2 (g) ⇌ 2SO3 (g)
Sulfur dioxide and some leftover oxygen react with the use of the catalyst Vanadium (V) oxide (V2O5) to form sulfur trioxide. - SO3 (g) + H2SO4 (l) → H2S2O7 (l)
Sulfuric acid is added to sulfur trioxide to form oleum
[it must be sprayed on because otherwise gases might form and escape and cause acid rain; therefore acid scrubbers must be used as sulfur dioxide is acidic] - H2S2O7 (l) + H2O → 2H2SO4 (l)
Water is added to oleum to form sulfuric acid.
The essential conditions needed for this to occur is a vanadium oxide catalyst, 450˚C and a pressure of 2 atm.
Describe the properties and uses of dilute and concentrated sulfuric acid
They both have a low pH, react with bases, highly conductive, forms sulphates. Diluted, it reacts with metals to form a salt and hydrogen gas, with carbonates to form carbon dioxide, salt and water and with metal oxides to form a salt and water. However for concentrated, they are highly corrosive and act like a dehydrating agent.
State the uses of sulfur
- Used to produce concrete, pesticides and medicines.
- Used to produce Sulfur dioxide, used as bleach and as
a preservative. - Manufacturing of sulfuric acid.
