rikkihapposprosessi

Rikkihappoprosessi, also known as the contact process, is the primary industrial method for producing sulfuric acid. It is a highly efficient and widely used process due to its economic viability and the essential nature of sulfuric acid in various industries. The process involves several key steps, beginning with the preparation of sulfur dioxide. This is typically achieved by burning elemental sulfur in air or by roasting sulfide ores, such as pyrite.

The core of the rikkihappoprosessi is the catalytic oxidation of sulfur dioxide to sulfur trioxide. This reaction takes place in a converter at elevated temperatures, usually between 400 and 450 degrees Celsius, and at atmospheric pressure. A catalyst, most commonly vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) supported on silica, is used to accelerate the reaction rate. The reaction is exothermic and reversible, so careful control of temperature and pressure is crucial for maximizing the yield of sulfur trioxide. The sulfur trioxide is then absorbed in concentrated sulfuric acid to form oleum, which is essentially fuming sulfuric acid. Finally, oleum is diluted with water to produce sulfuric acid of the desired concentration. The rikkihappoprosessi is a continuous process, allowing for large-scale production to meet global demand. Sulfuric acid produced through this method is used in the manufacturing of fertilizers, chemicals, petroleum refining, metallurgy, and wastewater treatment, among other applications.