sulfuric acid commonly known as king of chemicals and also as oil of vitriol find its applications across many industries like lubricants, drugs, rayon, metal processing, batteries, chemical manufacturing and more

1. Article written and published
By
www.worldofchemicals.com

2. Introduction
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Sulfuric acid referred as universal chemical, king of chemicals due to the
numerous applications for sulfuric acid as a raw material or processing agent.
Sulfuric acid is the most commonly used chemical in the world and used in
almost all industries like
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Fertilizers
Pharmaceuticals
Gasoline
Automobile batteries
Paper bleaching
Sugar bleaching
Water treatment
Sulfonation agents
Cellulose fibers
Steel manufacturing
Coloring agents
Amino acid intermediates
Regeneration of ion exchange resins

3. Worldwide Production
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Sulphuric acid is an important industrial chemical which is used
in the manufacturing processes of many goods over a wide
range of applications. Sulfuric acid used in pulp and paper
industry for chlorine dioxide generation, tall oil splitting and pHadjustments. Over one million tons of sulphuric acid is made
each year in the UK alone, with an additional 40 million tones
being produced in the USA. Annual worldwide production of
sulphuric acid is stands at around 180 million tones.
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Sulfuric acid is a strongly acidic, oily liquid that may be clear to
cloudy in appearance. Concentrated sulfuric acid acts as both
an oxidizing and dehydrating agent. Sulfuric acid is available in
many grades ranging from electrolyte grade (33 weight percent)
for batteries, to 93 weight percent (66 deg Baume), 98 weight
percent, and 20-22 weight percent fuming oleum containing
excess dissolved sulfur trioxide. The grade most often shipped
is 93 weight percent.

4. Sulfuric Acid History
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In the environment, sulfuric acid is a constituent of acid rain, since it is
formed by atmospheric oxidation of sulfur dioxide in the presence of
water. Atmospheric sulfur dioxide is generated by combustion of
sulfur-containing fossil fuels such as coal and oil.
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Sulfuric acid was once known as oil of vitriol, coined by the
8 th century Arabian alchemist Jabir ibn Hayyan.It was prepared by
Johann Van Helmont in the 1600s by destructive distillation of green
vitriol (ferrous sulfate) and by burning sulfur. Burning sulfur with
saltpeter (potassium nitrate) was first used to prepare sulfuric acid in
the 17th century.
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By the mid-17th century, John Roebuck had invented the lead
chamber process which used nitrogen oxides as oxidant. The contact
process, wherein the oxidation of sulfur dioxide to sulfur trioxide is
performed by oxygen (air) over a catalyst, was originally developed
about 1830 by Peregrine Phillips in England.

5. Sulfuric Acid Production
Methods
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n discretionary production, the mining of sulfur or sulfur-bearing
minerals (pyrites) is the sole objective, based on the voluntary
mining of discrete deposits to obtain maximum economic
recovery. In non-discretionary production, sulfur or sulfuric acid
is recovered as an involuntary by-product, the quantity of which
is subject to demand for the primary product alone.
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The lead chamber process has now been almost completely
superseded by the contact process in the industrial production
of sulfuric acid. Much of the sulfuric acid produced by the lead
chamber process is utilized in the making of fertilizers, since the
acid is relatively dilute. In contrast, the contact process can
make acid of any desired concentration.
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Sulfuric acid is a very important commodity chemical, and
indeed, a nation's sulfuric acid production has been a
reasonably good indicator of its industrial strength for the last
century or so.

6. Top 25 industries use sulfuric
acid
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Agricultural chemicals
Aluminum Sulfate
Batteries
Cellophane
Detergents
Explosives
Fertilizers
Gasoline
Herbicides
Iron and steel pickling
Jet Fuel
Kerosene

7. Top 25 industries use sulfuric
acid Cont ,,,,
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Leather
Lubricating oils
Medicinal processes
Oil additives
Paper
Rayon and rubber
Sugar
Synthetic fibers
Veterinary drugs
Water softener regeneration
Water treatment
Yellow pigments

8. 7 Major Industries use sulfuric
acid in daily routine
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Chemical Manufacturing
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As a highly important chemical compound, sulphuric acid
is used in the manufacturing process of a number of wellknown chemicals including hydrochloric acid, nitric acid,
phosphoric acid and many other industrial chemicals.
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Oil Refining
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The process of refining crude oil requires the use of an
acid as a catalyst and Sulphuric acid is often used for
this purpose. It is used in a SAAU or sulphuric acid
Alkylation Unit.

9. 7 Major Industries use sulfuric
acid in daily routine Cont ..
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Metal Processing
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‘Pickling’ is a term used to describe the treatment of metals to remove
impurities, rust or scale from the surface, such as in steel making. Today, the
use of sulphuric acid for this purpose has decreased a little as the industry
now favours the use of hydrochloric acid. Although hydrochloric acid is more
expensive than sulphuric acid, it produces results more quickly and minimizes
the loss of base metal during the pickling process.
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The Manufacture of Rayon
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The textile Rayon is made from cellulose fibres derived from wood. These are
dissolved in a solution of Tetra Amine Copper (II) to produce a thick blue liquid
which is then injected into sulphuric acid to form Rayon fibres. Rayon is
considered to be a good semi-synthetic textile and can rival silk for drape and
lustre. Indeed, it is sometimes referred to as ‘art silk’. It is easily dyed and the
fabric is soft, cool and smooth. However, unlike silk, Rayon does not insulate
body heat so is perfect for use in humid and hot countries.

10. 7 Major Industries use sulfuric
acid in daily routine Cont ..
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The Manufacture of Lead-Acid Type Batteries
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Sealed-unit lead-acid type batteries are used in the automotive
industry for cars and trucks. Sealed-unit lead-acid type batteries were
invented in 1859 by Frenchman Gaston Plants. Sulphuric acid is used
in a dilute form to act as an electrolye to allow the flow of electrons
between the plates in the battery. Sulphuric acid used in this way is
commonly called Battery Acid. It can vary in strength according to the
battery manufacturer but is generally between 28 to 32 per cent or
between 4.2 to 5 Molar.
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Potato Harvesting
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Potato farmers employ specialist contractors to spray their fields of
potatoes before harvesting so that the green tops die back and
blacken within a day or two. This helps to dry out the stem and
prevents them from becoming tangled in the harvesting equipment.
The usual method of spraying potato tops is with a solution of
sulphuric acid.

11. 7 Major Industries use sulfuric
acid in daily routine Cont ..
The Manufacture of Medicines
 Chemotherapy drugs are used to treat various types of cancer.
Cancer cells are more sensitive to DNA damage than normal
cells so in chemotherapy treatment cancer cells are destroyed
by damaging their DNA. This process is known as alkylation of
DNA and a type of drug known as alkylating antineoplastic
agents are used. Sulphuric acid is used in the manufacturing
process of such drugs
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