Sulphuric acid plant in Billingham,Cleveland. The first stage in its manufacture is to obtain sulphur dioxide by burning sulphur. The product is then purifyed & mixed with air. The next stage is the slow stage & it is the conversion of sulphur dioxide to sulphur trioxide - the Contact Process. In order to speed up the reaction,conditions of high temperature,high pressure & the use of a catalyst are employed. In the final stage,sulphur trioxide is mixed with water to produce sulphuric acid. This acid is one of the most widely used chemicals; it is needed,among others,in the manufacture of fertilizers,soaps,paints,fibres,pharmaceuticals & plastics |