Silver, H2SO4 production

Glass fiber with and without a catalyst was used to examine effect of the catalyst on the decomposition of SO3. Although a suitable catalyst for the SO decomposition is not known well, a catalyst such as the salts of vanadium and silver, ferric oxide, chromium oxide, and some of rare earths is used by industry for production of H2SO4. The catalyst used for the decomposition of SO3 was ferric oxide or hematite due to its availability. 

Neglecting electrode polarization effects, predict the principal product at each electrode in the continued electrolysis at 25 °C of each of the following (a) 1 M Fe2(S04)3 with inert electrodes in 0.1 M H2SO4. (b) 1 M LiCl with silver electrodes, (c) 1 M FeS04 with inert electrodes at pH 7.0, (d) molten NaF with inert electrodes. 

The Kidd Metallurgical Division is an integrated metallurgical facility, located in Timmins, Ontario, Canada, which comprises a 10,000 t/d concentrator, a 145,000 t/y copper smelter and refinery, and a 150,000 t/y zinc plant. In addition to copper and zinc, the site produces 600 t/y of cadmium, 1200 t/y of lead contained in a lead/silver. residue, refined indium, and 100,000 kg/y of silver and 500 kg/y of gold, contained in anode slimes. Sulfur products produced are 580,000 t/y equivalent 100% H2SO4 and 28,000 t/y of liquid SO2. Total site complement as of March 2000 was 890 employees. 

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