Contact Process SO₂ Oxidation

2SO2 + O2 ⇌ 2SO3

Tổng quan

Sulfur dioxide is oxidized to sulfur trioxide over a vanadium pentoxide catalyst in the contact process for sulfuric acid manufacture. Sulfur changes from +4 to +6 oxidation state. The equilibrium is favored by low temperature but requires high temperature for adequate reaction rate, so 400-450 C with V₂O₅ catalyst provides optimal yield.

Người tham gia

Vai trò Chất Hệ số Trạng thái
Chất phản ứng Oxygen O 1 (g)
Chất phản ứng Sulfur Dioxide SO₂ 2 (g)
Sản phẩm Sulfur Trioxide SO₃ 2 (g)

Ví dụ thực tế

Sulfuric acid produced by this process is the world's most produced chemical, used in everything from fertilizers to batteries to detergents.

Tầm quan trọng công nghiệp

The contact process produces over 260 million tonnes of sulfuric acid annually. V₂O₅ catalyst replaced the original, more expensive platinum catalyst.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the equation for Contact Process SO₂ Oxidation?
The balanced equation is: 2SO₂ + O₂ ⇌ 2SO₃.
What type of reaction is Contact Process SO₂ Oxidation?
Contact Process SO₂ Oxidation is a redox reaction. It is reversible under certain conditions.
Is Contact Process SO₂ Oxidation exothermic or endothermic?
Contact Process SO₂ Oxidation is exothermic (releases energy). The enthalpy change (ΔH) is -198.0 kJ/mol.
What conditions are needed for Contact Process SO₂ Oxidation?
This reaction requires a catalyst (Vanadium(V) oxide (V₂O₅)).