Sulfuric acid pumping
Sulphuric Acid is world’s most produced chemical because of its widespread use in not only in Chemical, Metallurgical, Process, Petrochemical, Fertilizer industries but also in electrical and electronics, Semiconductor industries and also in variety of labs all around the world. The most important use is in phosphate industry and also in metal extraction industries. They also find important uses in Paint and Pigment, Explosive, Detergent, Plastic and Synthetic Fiber industries.
Sulphuric Acid is a colourless liquid which has an appearance similar to that of water. It has a molecular weight of about 98. It is heavier than water. The sulphuric acid can be diluted by water to get acids in various strengths for different purposes. During the mixing process, sulphuric acid should be added to water.
Reason being that since sulphuric acid is heavier than water it will move to the bottom due to gravity and the mixing will be much uniform. In case we add water to sulphuric acid, since the water is lighter than sulphuric acid, it will stay at the top.
Hence, we will have water in the top layer and sulphuric acid in the bottom layer. At the interface the sulphuric acid will absorb water and release heat. This released heat will evaporate a fraction of water near the interface. It will convert it into steam. The steam will expand and the mixture will be splashed everywhere in an exploding fashion.
Almost all the sulphuric acid around the world is manufactured by Contact Process.
Sulphuric acid is not only an acid which is able to decompose iron metal. It has additional the property to be oxidizing, but only at a concentration above 80 % H2SO4. With higher concentration this oxidizing character increases significantly. This means for stainless steel alloys, that at concentration of 98% a lot of stainless steel alloys will be resistant.
Metals and their usable temperature limits in different sulphuric acid media.
Typical used is the stainless steel SS316 and duplex steel , which is resistant in 98% H2SO4 up to 60°C and low rotation speed.
The following is Sulphuric acid centrifugal pumps made by Kehuan Pumps.
