Acids And Bases

Step 1: Principle.
The manufacture of sulphuric acid by the Contact Process is based on the catalytic oxidation of sulphur dioxide (SO ) to sulphur trioxide (SO ) using vanadium(V) oxide (V O ) as a catalyst.
Step 2: Chemical reactions involved.
Step 3: Conditions for maximum yield.
- Catalyst: V O (Vanadium(V) oxide)
- Temperature: around 450°C
- Pressure: about 1–2 atm
- The reaction is exothermic and reversible, hence low temperature and moderate pressure favor the forward reaction.
Step 4: Formation of sulphuric acid.
Step 5: Summary of process.
Step 6: Conclusion.
Thus, in the contact process, sulphuric acid is produced economically and efficiently through catalytic oxidation and absorption steps.

Step 1: Reaction involved.
When concentrated sulphuric acid reacts with oxalic acid (H C O ), it acts as a dehydrating agent and also as an oxidizing agent.
Step 2: Chemical equation.
Step 3: Observation.
On heating, a mixture of carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO ) gases is evolved, and water vapor is released. The reaction mixture becomes warm due to its exothermic nature.
Step 4: Explanation.
Concentrated H SO removes water from oxalic acid and decomposes it into CO and CO .