Sulfuric acid and its use

Sulfuric acid is one of the most famous and widespread chemical compounds . This is due primarily to its pronounced properties. Its formula is H2SO4. It is a dibasic acid having a higher degree of oxidation of sulfur +6.

Under normal conditions, sulfuric acid is an odorless and colorless liquid with oily properties. It has become quite widespread in engineering and various industries.

At the moment, this substance is one of the most important and most common products of the chemical industry. In nature, deposits of native sulfur are not found so often, as a rule, it occurs only in compounds with other substances. Now the extraction of sulfur from various compounds, including from a variety of industrial wastes, is developing. In some cases, even non-ferrous metallurgy gases can be adapted to produce sulfur and various compounds with it.

Properties

Sulfuric acid adversely affects any organic compounds. She takes water from them very quickly, so that tissues and various compounds begin to char. 100% acid is one of the strongest, while the compound does not smoke and does not destroy the ferrous metals.

Dilute sulfuric acid reacts with any metals except lead. In a concentrated form, many elements begin to oxidize.

Use of sulfuric acid

Mainly sulfuric acid is used in the chemical industry, where it produces nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers, including superphosphate, which is currently considered to be one of the most common fertilizers. Every year produce up to several million tons of this substance.

In metallurgy, H2SO4 is used to check the quality of the products obtained. When rolling steel, microcracks may appear, in order to detect them, the part is placed in a lead bath and etched with a 25% solution of acid. After that, even the smallest cracks can be seen with the naked eye.

Before applying the electroplating to the metal, it must be prepared beforehand - clean and degrease. Since sulfuric acid reacts with metals, it dissolves the thinnest layer, and with it any traces of contamination are removed. In addition, the surface of the metal becomes more rough, which is better suited for applying nickel, chrome or copper coating.

Sulfuric acid is used in the processing of certain ores, and a significant amount is required in the petroleum industry, where it is used primarily for the purification of various products. It is often used in the chemical industry, which is constantly evolving. As a result, additional possibilities and methods of application are discovered. This substance can be used for the production of lead-acid current sources - various batteries.

Preparation of sulfuric acid

The main raw material for the production of acid is sulfur and various compounds based on it. In addition, as already mentioned, now the use of industrial waste for the production of sulfur is developing. In oxidizing roasting of sulphide ores, the waste gases contain SO2. It is adapted to produce sulfuric acid. Although Russia still holds the leading positions on the production of sulfur pyrite, which is burned in ovens. When air is blown through the burning pyrites, high SO2 vapors are formed. For cleaning from other impurities and dangerous vapors, electrostatic precipitators are used. Now in production different methods of acid production are actively used, and many of them are related to waste processing, although the share of traditional production is high.