How to make dilute sulfuric acid

How to make dilute sulfuric acid: detailed steps and method analysis

Dilute sulfuric acid is a basic chemical widely used in the chemical industry. It is usually used in many fields, such as neutralization, cleaning, metal surface treatment and so on. The problem of "how to make dilute sulfuric acid" can be analyzed in depth from the production process, dilution method and industrial application of sulfuric acid.

1. Sulfuric acid production process

The first step in the manufacture of dilute sulfuric acid is the production of concentrated sulfuric acid. The production of concentrated sulfuric acid is mainly carried out by the contact method (Contact Process), which uses sulfur as raw material and synthesizes high-concentration sulfuric acid through a series of chemical reactions.

Step 1: Sulfur combustion Sulfur reacts with oxygen to form sulfur dioxide (SO₂):

[ S + O2 \rightarrow SO2 ]

step 2: Conversion of sulfur dioxide to sulfur trioxide Sulfur dioxide and oxygen are converted to sulfur trioxide (SO) in the presence of a catalyst (e. g. vanadium pentoxide, V₂ Ono):

[ 2SO2 + O2 \xrightarrow{V2O5} 2SO_3 ]

step 3: Sulfur trioxide reacts with water to produce sulfuric acid Sulfur trioxide reacts with water to produce concentrated sulfuric acid:

[ SO3 + H2O \rightarrow H2SO4 ]

through the above steps, the production of concentrated sulfuric acid is completed, and the concentration can generally reach about 98%.

2. How to dilute concentrated sulfuric acid to prepare dilute sulfuric acid

The concentration of concentrated sulfuric acid is very high, and it needs to be diluted to meet different application requirements. How to make dilute sulfuric acid? The core is to dilute concentrated sulfuric acid. During the dilution process, special care should be taken to control the reaction conditions to avoid dangerous reactions.

Method of dilution When diluting concentrated sulfuric acid, it is necessary to slowly add concentrated sulfuric acid to water instead of adding water to concentrated sulfuric acid. This is because when concentrated sulfuric acid reacts with water, it will release a lot of heat. If water is added directly, it may cause a violent reaction and even splash dangerous liquid.

The specific steps are as follows:

1. Choose an acid-resistant container and put the right amount of water.
2. Slowly pour concentrated sulfuric acid, while constantly stirring, to ensure that the heat can be evenly dispersed.
3. Depending on the desired concentration, continue to add concentrated sulfuric acid or water until the desired concentration is reached.

In general, the concentration of dilute sulfuric acid is generally between 10% and 20%, which is suitable for most industrial applications.

3. Dilute sulfuric acid industrial applications

Dilute sulfuric acid is widely used in many chemical industries, including the following aspects:

• Metal surface treatment: Dilute sulfuric acid is used to remove metal surface oxides or rust, especially in stainless steel and aluminum alloy cleaning process.
• Neutralization: Dilute sulfuric acid can be used to neutralize some alkaline wastewater to help adjust the pH value and meet environmental requirements.
• Fertilizer production: In the phosphate fertilizer production process, dilute sulfuric acid is used to react with phosphate rock to produce phosphoric acid.

4. Preparation of dilute sulfuric acid safety precautions

In the process of manufacturing and using dilute sulfuric acid, it is necessary to strictly observe the safety operation regulations. Concentrated sulfuric acid releases a lot of heat during the dilution process, so it must be handled carefully. It is recommended to wear appropriate personal protective equipment, such as goggles, gloves and protective clothing, to prevent contact with concentrated sulfuric acid or spilled liquids.

The storage of dilute sulfuric acid also requires attention to avoid exposing it to high temperature environments and to ensure that the storage container is well sealed to prevent acid mist leakage.

Conclusion

Through the above analysis, we can see that "how to make dilute sulfuric acid" is not just a simple dilution problem, it involves the production process of concentrated sulfuric acid, the correct use of dilution methods, and precautions in industrial applications. Mastering these basic steps and safety measures will help ensure that the production and use of dilute sulfuric acid is more efficient and safe.