Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
SULFURIC ACID (H
SO
)
2
4
Also known as “oil of vitriol,” “battery acid,” “oleum”
Properties
100% sulfuric acid is a colorless, odorless, dense, oily,
corrosive liquid. When added to water, the mixture
becomes hot enough to boil. It is a very hazardous
chemical to handle because it is corrosive to all body
tissues.
Commercial grades
33.5% in water (battery acid), 62.18% in water
(fertilizer acid), 77.67% in water (tower acid), 98%
(laboratory reagent grade)
Uses
For making fertilizer, in petroleum refining, synthetic
rubber and other plastics, copper leaching, manufacture
of inorganic pigments, water treatment chemicals,
paints, car batteries, etc.
Manufacture
catalyst
S
+
O
SO
2
2
sulfur
oxygen
sulfur dioxide
catalyst
SO
+
O
SO
2
2
3
sulfur dioxide
oxygen
sulfur trioxide
SO
+
H
O
H
SO
3
2
2
4
sulfur trioxide
water
sulfuric acid
Suppliers
ASARCO, General Chemical, Arch Chemical,
Colonial Chemical, Phelps Dodge, Kennecott Corp.,
Cytec Industries, El Dorado Chemical, many others.
Due to its versatile properties and low cost, sulfuric acid is the most important
product of the chemical industry. It is involved somewhere in the production
of almost all manufactured products. For many years, sulfuric acid produc-
tion was used as an indication of the strength of a country's economy, but
now it is more indicative of a country's agricultural vitality because of its
high use in the manufacture of fertilizers.
