Question

In the manufacture of sulphuric acid from elemental sulphur, the sequence of major operations is

• A. Converter to furnace to absorber
• B. Furnace to converter to absorber
• C. Furnace to evaporator to absorber
• D. Furnace to absorber to converter

Hint:

In the contact process: sulphur is burned in furnace, \(SO_2\) is converted to \(SO_3\), and \(SO_3\) is absorbed.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Sulphuric acid is manufactured from elemental sulphur by the contact process. First, sulphur is burned in a furnace to form sulphur dioxide: \[ S+O_2\rightarrow SO_2. \] So the first major operation is: \[ \text{Furnace}. \] Then sulphur dioxide is oxidized to sulphur trioxide in a converter using catalyst: \[ 2SO_2+O_2\rightarrow 2SO_3. \] So the second operation is: \[ \text{Converter}. \] Finally, sulphur trioxide is absorbed in concentrated sulphuric acid to form oleum, which is diluted to obtain sulphuric acid. So the final operation is: \[ \text{Absorber}. \] Therefore, the sequence is: \[ \text{Furnace} \rightarrow \text{Converter} \rightarrow \text{Absorber}. \]