Contact+Process

__The Contact Process__ The Contact Process, discovered by an English Merchant Peregrine Phillips, is the process creates Sulfuric Acid(H2SO4) using sulfur, oxygen, and water. Sulfur and oxygen are required in the first step, making Sulfur Dioxide. Then Sulfur Dioxide and Oxygen react to form Sulfur Trioxide, which reacts with water to form Sulfuric Acid. The process was first discovered in 1831 and has been refined/modified with the advances in technology/science. The Contact Process no longer utilizes box-like chambers, but now uses tower-like structures. It was not used in the industrial setting until the mid 1880's, however, it became heavily produced in 1899 after the Civil War when the demand for Sulfuric Acid grew exponentially.

__The Discovery of the Contact Process__ In the early 1800s, Phillips discovered his own method to create Sulfuric Acid because of a slight demand Phillips passed a mixture of sulfur dioxide and air through a heated tube which contained fragments of platinum. In the tube, the sulfur dioxide converted to sulfur trioxide. The sulfur trioxide formed concentrate sulfuric acid after absorbing water.

__Uses of Sulfuric Acid__


 * Agricultural fertilizers, largest single application for sulfuric acid (65%)
 * the lead-acid storage battery (one of few consumer products that contains sulfuric acid)
 * used as a reducing agent and solvent in chemical experiments
 * preservative in wine making
 * production of sulfates, dyes, alcohols, plastics, rubber, ether, glue, film, explosives,
 * drugs, paints, food containers, wood preservatives, soaps and detergents,
 * pharmaceutical products, petroleum products, pulp, paper

__Environmental Effects of Sulfuric Acid__
//**How does sulfuric acid effect the environment?**// If released in the atmosphere small particles will disperse in the air, this will spread and can lead to more cases of inhalation. It can also be mixed with water. The toxicity of the acid can greatly influence aquatic life. Due to the fact that the acid is very corrosive, it leads to severe burns in plants, birds, and land animals. In the water, the acid can lead to a pH value. 

//**How does sulfuric acid enter the environment?**// Industrial emissions from industrial plants can increase sulfuric acid concentration in the atmosphere. From here the acid will spread through the clouds. This will form into droplets and eventually it will fall with preciptation. Once it falls from the sky, it will land in other bodies of water. From here the acid can spread quickly and harm wildlife.

** __Industry... Large Scale__ **
//**Are there any special requirements/certification/permits needed in order to carry out this process?**// Since the early 1940's a major concern of those using the Contact process has been the reduction of pollution and the ammount of energy required. Regulations instated by the EPA in the year 2000 have reduced Sulfur emissions by the use of a variety of SO3 absorbers. Tail gas scrubbing processes have also been developed and are required at multiple facilities currently conducting the Contact process. Many plants have regulations that far surpass those required by the EPA now that we are moving towards a much greener industrial world. And many plants plan to follow in these companies environmentally-friendly footsteps.

__ Why the Contact Process Replaced the Lead Chamber Process __

media type="custom" key="5738569"

//WORKS CITED

"Industrial Preparation of Sulfuric Acid (the Contact Process): Schematic." // Chemistry //, Science Visual Resources. Copyright Diagram Visual Information Ltd., 2006. // Science Online //. Facts on File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE40&SID=5&iPin= SVR0270&SingleRecord=True (accessed March 19, 2010).

"Industrial Preparation of Sulfuric Acid (the Contact Process): Theory." // Chemistry //, Science Visual Resources. Copyright Diagram Visual Information Ltd., 2006. // Science Online //. Facts on File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE40&SID=5&iPin= SVR0269&SingleRecord=True (accessed March 19, 2010).

Kiefer, David M. "Sulfuric acid: Pumping up the volume." //Today's Chemist at Work//. ACS Publications, 2001. Web. 18 Mar. 2010.// [|//http://pubs.acs.org/subscribe/journals/tcaw/10/i09/html/09chemch.html//]

Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration (U.S.). //Industrial minerals & rocks: commodities, markets, and uses//. Ed. Jessica Elzea Kogel, et al. 7th ed. 2006. N.p.: n.p., 2006. 964. Print.
//"Sulfuric Acid."// Sulfuric Acid//. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2010. .