C12: Sulfur & C13: Carbonates

Use of sulfur in manufacturing sulfuric acid

• Sulfur is mainly used in manufacturing sulfuric acid, a commonly used chemical
• It is manufactured through a complicated process
• Sulfuric acid is manufactured through the Contact Process
1. Sulfur is oxidised (S + O₂ → SO₂) and forms sulfur dioxide
2. The sulfur dioxide gains oxygen to form sulfur trioxide with a catalyst (V₂O₅) with a temperature of 450°C and pressure of 2 atm
3. Sulfur trioxide reacts with a 98% sulphuic acid solution to form oleum (a liquid, H₂S₂O₇): SO₃ + H₂SO₄ → H₂S₂O₇
4. Oleum (H₂S₂O₇) then reacts with water to form sulfuric acid H₂S₂O₇ + H₂O → 2H₂SO₄

Manufacture of lime from limestone

• Limestone is mainly made up of calcium carbonate(CaCO₃)
• Lime (CaO) is created through breaking down calcium carbonate with heat
• This is done through the equation CaCO₃ → CaO + CO₂

Use of limestone

• Limestone is used in soil to remove acidity and neutralise acidic industrial waste products
• This is because limestone is a base that can react with acids to neutralise them

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