LQ3 Industrial Chemicals

Question 1

Ancient Egpyt and Mesopotamia used alkali
(sodium carbonate) and limestone (calcium
carbonate) to make glass

Answer 1

4000-7000 B.C.

Question 2

China used saltpeter (potassium nitrate), sulfur, and
charcoal to produce. Sources say that they used 15% by weight of carbon, 10% sulfur dioxide, and 75% potassium
nitrate.

Answer 2

800-900 A.D.

Question 3

this started the chemical industry to the high
demand of chemicals for their products. This the
main purpose of the chemical industry: to convert
raw materials such as oil, air, water, metals, and
minerals into commodity chemicals.

Answer 3

Industrial Revolution

Question 4

Top 5 In-demand Chemicals

Answer 4

1. Sulfuric acid
2. Sodium hydroxide
3. Nitrogen
4. Propylene
5. Ethylene

Question 5

What are the raw materials for industrial chemicals

Answer 5

Sulfur, air, and water

Question 6

Main source of sulfur is from

Answer 6

Petroleum or natural gas

Question 7

Hydrogen is used as an agent for the reduction of sulfur content

Answer 7

Hydrodesulfurization

Question 8

It can also be mined from volcanic areas, hot springs, hydrothermal vents, or their emissions

Answer 8

Sulfur, air, water

Question 9

It is most commonly mined in countries inside the pacific ring of fire

Answer 9

Sulfur, air, and water

Question 10

Has low yield, very exothermic, and not environmentally-friendly

Answer 10

Lead chamber process

Question 11

Has high yield, less exothermic, reversible, and more environmentally frienly

Answer 11

Contact process

Question 12

What is the method 1 of sulfur dioxide

Answer 12

Direct combustion of elemental sulfur
S(s) + O2 (g) —> SO2 (g)

Question 13

What is the method 2 of sulfur dioxide

Answer 13

Roasting of sulfide ores (e.g. pyrite)
4FeS2(S) + 11O2(g) —> 2Fe2O3(s) + 8 SO2 (g)

Question 14

Removal of Solid Particulates
Electrostatic Precipitators

Answer 14

Dusting tower

Question 15

Removal of soluble contaminants

Answer 15

Washing tower

Question 16

Removal of moisture

Answer 16

Drying tower

Question 17

Removal of arsenic oxides (catalyst poisons)

Answer 17

Arsenic purifier

Question 18

This is the initial process of generating sulfur dioxide (SO₂). It involves burning elemental sulfur in a sulfur furnace or roasting sulfide ores, reacting sulfur with oxygen at high temperatures to create SO₂ gas, the feedstock for the rest of
the process.

Answer 18

Combustion

Question 19

This is the core chemical transformation of the process, converting sulfur dioxide (SO₂) into sulfur trioxide (SO₃). It is achieved by passing the purified SO₂ and oxygen mixture over a vanadium(V) oxide (V₂O₅) catalyst bed at elevated temperatures, accelerating the reaction to form SO₃.

Answer 19

Catalytic oxidation

Question 20

This process involves dissolving sulfur trioxide (SO₃) into concentrated sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) to produce oleum (H₂S₂O₇). It’s favored over direct absorption into water to avoid creating corrosive sulfuric acid mists and to achieve a higher concentration of sulfur oxides.

Answer 20

Absorption

Question 21

This is the final process step where oleum (H₂S₂O₇) is mixed
with water (H₂O) to produce concentrated sulfuric acid
(H₂SO₄) of the desired strength. The dilution is carefully
controlled to manage the heat generated and to achieve the
target sulfuric acid concentration.

Answer 21

Dilution

Question 22

Unit process are

Answer 22

Combustion, catalytic oxidation, absorption, dilution

Question 23

Unit operations are

Answer 23

Dusting, washing, drying, arsenic removal, heat exchange, mixing

Question 24

This operation removes dust
particles and other solid
impurities from the sulfur dioxide
(SO₂) gas stream using a dusting
tower. It is crucial for protecting
downstream equipment and
preventing catalyst poisoning by
removing particulate matter from
the gas stream

Answer 24

Dusting

Question 25

This operation removes soluble contaminants from the sulfur dioxide (SO₂) gas stream by washing it with water in a washing tower. It targets contaminants like halides and other acidic gases, ensuring a cleaner SO₂ stream for the catalytic oxidation stage

Answer 25

Washing

Question 26

This operation removes moisture from the gas stream by contacting it with concentrated sulfuric acid in a drying tower. It is essential for protecting the catalyst in the converter because water vapor can deactivate the catalyst, reducing its efficiency

Answer 26

Drying

Question 27

This operation specifically targets and removes arsenic oxide impurities from the gas stream. It is essential in plants where the sulfur source contains arsenic because arsenic compounds are potent catalyst poisons, significantly reducing the catalyst's effectiveness.

Answer 27

Arsenic removal

Question 28

This operation is critical for managing the temperature of the gas stream before absorption. Cooling the sulfur trioxide in a heat exchanger prior to absorption helps to increase the absorption efficiency and recover heat that can be used elsewhere in the process.

Answer 28

Heat exchange

Question 29

Mixing and agitation are important within some of the towers to promote contact between phases. This ensures uniform distribution of reactants and efficient mass transfer in the washing, drying, and absorption towers, optimizing the efficiency of each operation.

Answer 29

Mixing