[Chemical Knowledge]：The nature, use, upstream and downstream raw materials, storage methods of sulfuric acid, the nature, use, upstream and downstream raw materials, storage methods

Sulfuric Acid Properties

Sulfuric acid (H₂ SO?) is a strong acid that is strongly corrosive and strongly oxidizing. Its pure product is a colorless, odorless oily liquid with high viscosity. Sulfuric acid is highly hygroscopic and can absorb moisture from the air and even dehydrate organic matter. Sulfuric acid is very acidic and can be completely ionized to form hydrogen ions and sulfate ions. Due to its high reactivity, sulfuric acid can react with a variety of metals, non-metals and compounds, which makes it widely used in industry and laboratory.

Sulfuric Acid's Main Uses

Sulfuric acid is one of the most important chemicals in industry and is widely used in all walks of life. In fertilizer production, sulfuric acid is used to make products such as phosphate fertilizer and ammonium sulfate. Sulfuric acid is used in petroleum refining to remove impurities and improve the quality of fuel oil. Third, sulfuric acid is the basic raw material for the production of chemicals, including synthetic detergents, dyes and explosives. Sulfuric acid is also used in the steel industry in the pickling process to remove the oxide scale on the surface and improve the finish of the metal surface. In the electronics industry, sulfuric acid is used to produce high-purity semiconductor materials. Sulfuric acid is also used in water treatment, waste gas treatment and battery production.

Sulfuric acid upstream and downstream raw materials

The production of sulfuric acid mainly depends on sulfur and oxygen in the air as raw materials. Upstream raw materials mainly include sulfur, pyrite and sulfide in natural gas. Sulfur is burned to produce sulfur dioxide gas, which is then oxidized to sulfur trioxide by contact method or double contact and double absorption method, and then reacts with water to produce sulfuric acid. Another production method is to recover sulfur dioxide from the by-product gas of the non-ferrous metal smelting process and make sulfuric acid. Downstream products are involved in a wide range of industrial applications, including the above-mentioned fertilizers, petroleum refined products, chemicals and steel pickling.

Sulfuric acid production process

The production process of sulfuric acid is mainly divided into contact method and wet method. Contact method is the most common process, which has the characteristics of high efficiency and continuous production. The method includes three main steps of sulfur combustion, sulfur dioxide oxidation and absorption. Sulfur reacts with oxygen in the air in a combustion furnace to form sulfur dioxide. The sulfur dioxide is then passed through the catalyst bed and further oxidized to sulfur trioxide at an appropriate temperature. Sulfur trioxide reacts with water to produce sulfuric acid. Wet law is through the absorption of sulfur dioxide in the exhaust gas to produce sulfuric acid, this method is often used to deal with non-ferrous metal smelting tail gas.

Sulfuric acid storage method

Because sulfuric acid is highly corrosive, its storage method requires special attention. Storage containers must be made of corrosion-resistant materials such as high-purity carbon steel, lead or special plastics. The container should be well sealed to avoid contact between sulfuric acid and moisture in the air to prevent moisture absorption. Sulfuric acid should be stored in a cool, well-ventilated place, away from heat and flammable materials. The storage area shall be provided with anti-leakage measures and emergency treatment facilities to prevent leakage and accidents. Operators must wear protective equipment such as acid gloves, goggles and protective clothing when handling sulphuric acid to prevent contact and inhalation.

Sulfuric acid safety and environmental protection measures

The strong corrosion and toxicity of sulfuric acid make it necessary to strictly follow safety regulations during use and handling. Exposure to sulfuric acid can cause severe skin burns and respiratory tract damage, so operators need to receive professional training on emergency measures. In case of sulfuric acid leakage, the site shall be quickly isolated and cleaned up after neutralization with alkaline substances. In terms of environmental protection, waste gas, waste water and waste residue in the sulfuric acid production process need to be strictly treated to prevent environmental pollution. In particular, the sulfur dioxide gas emitted during the production process must be desulfurized to meet the environmental emission standards.

Sulfuric Acid Market Analysis

As a basic chemical raw material, the market demand of sulfuric acid is closely related to the development of national economy and industrial production. In recent years, with the development of agriculture, chemical industry, metallurgy and petroleum, the demand for sulfuric acid has shown a steady growth trend. The global sulfuric acid market is mainly concentrated in the Asia-Pacific, North America and Europe, of which the Asia-Pacific region has become the fastest growing market for sulfuric acid due to the rapid development of agriculture and industry. With the increasingly stringent environmental regulations, low pollution, high efficiency of sulfuric acid production technology and process has been widely concerned and promoted.

future development trend

In the future, the sulfuric acid industry will continue to develop in the direction of efficient and clean production. On the one hand, new catalysts and process improvements will improve the efficiency and quality of sulfuric acid production, and reduce energy consumption and emissions. On the other hand, resource recovery and recycling technology will be further promoted to reduce raw material waste and environmental pollution. For example, sulfur resources are recovered from waste gas and waste liquid to prepare high value-added sulfuric acid products. With the development of new energy and high-tech industries, sulfuric acid has broad application prospects in battery manufacturing, electronic chemicals and other fields, and will further expand its market demand.

Conclusion

As an important basic chemical raw material, sulfuric acid has a wide range of applications and important economic value. Its production and use involve complex chemical processes and strict safety and environmental requirements. With technological progress and changes in market demand, the sulfuric acid industry will continue to optimize the production process, improve product quality, and meet diversified application needs. In the future, the development of sulfuric acid in high efficiency, environmental protection and resource recycling will provide a strong guarantee for its sustainable application in industry and society.