Why does contact process use low pressure?

This is because the reaction is exothermic such that a low temperature would favour the forward reaction and produce more sulphur trioxide. However, a low temperature slows down the rate of the reaction. Thus a compromise temperature of 450 oC is used. A pressure of only 1 atm is used.

What are the conditions for contact process?

The process can be divided into six stages: Combining of sulfur and oxygen (O2) to form sulfur dioxide. Purifying the sulfur dioxide in a purification unit. Adding an excess of oxygen to sulfur dioxide in the presence of the catalyst vanadium pentoxide at 450 °C and 1-2 atm.

What happens when pressure is increased in contact process?

However, the rate of reaction is low at low temperatures. So, as in the Haber process, a compromise temperature of 450 °C is chosen. If the pressure is increased, the equilibrium position moves in the direction of the fewest molecules of gas. This means it moves to the right in the Contact process.

How does contact process work?

The contact process is a modern method used by industries for manufacturing concentrated sulfuric acid. During this process, sulfur dioxide and oxygen are passed over a hot catalyst (V2O5). They unite to form sulfur trioxide, which combines with water to produce sulfuric acid.

What are the steps in the contact process?

The Contact Process. 1 Step 1: Make sulfur dioxide. 2 Step 2: Convert sulfur dioxide into sulfur trioxide (the reversible reaction at the heart of the process) 3 Step 3: Convert sulfur trioxide into concentrated sulfuric acid.

What should the temperature be for the contact process?

As this process is an exothermic reaction so the temperature should be as low as possible. Purification of the air and sulfur dioxide (SO 2) is necessary to avoid catalyst poisoning (i.e. removing catalytic activities). The gas is then washed with water and dried with sulfuric acid.

Why is purification necessary in the contact process?

Purification of the air and sulfur dioxide (SO 2) is necessary to avoid catalyst poisoning (i.e. removing catalytic activities). The gas is then washed with water and dried with sulfuric acid.

How to make sulfur dioxide in the contact process?

The Contact Process: 1 Make sulfur dioxide 2 Convert sulfur dioxide into sulfur trioxide (the reversible reaction at the heart of the process) 3 Convert sulfur trioxide into concentrated sulfuric acid