Solution, sulfuric acid

Nishihara C and Nozoye H 1995 influence of underpotentiai deposition of copper with submonolayer coverage on hydrogen adsorption at the stepped surfaces Pt(955), Pt(322) and Pt(544) in sulfuric acid solution J. Electroanal. Chem. 396 139-42... 

Ikemiya N, Miyaoka S and Hara S 1994 Observation of the Cu(1 1) adlayer on Au(111) in a sulfuric acid solution using atomic force microscopy Surf. Sc/. 311 L641-8... 

Unlike the addition of concentrated sulfuric acid to form alkyl hydrogen sulfates this reaction is carried out m a dilute acid medium A 50% water/sulfuric acid solution is often used yielding the alcohol directly without the necessity of a separate hydrolysis step Markovmkov s rule is followed... 

After cleaning to remove coarse material, ie, cobs, and fines (broken com, dust, etc), the com is steeped in a sulfurous acid solution to soften the com and render the starch granules separable from the protein matrix that envelopes them. About 7% of the kernel s dry substance is leached out during this step, forming protein-rich steep-water, a valuable feed ingredient and fermentation adjunct. 

Dinitrogen tetroxide is an effective Eriedel-Crafts nitrating agent (152) for aromatics in the presence of aluminum chloride, ferric chloride, or sulfuric acid (153). Dinitrogen pentoxide is a powerhil nitrating agent, even in the absence of catalysts, preferably in sulfuric acid solution (154). SoHd dinitrogen pentoxide is known to be the nitronium nitrate, (N02) (N02). The use of BE as catalyst has been reported (155). 

The development of selective extractants for copper has made extraction from dilute solutions (1—5 kg/m ) economically feasible. Transfer of the copper by stripping to a more concentrated sulfuric acid solution, ie, 30—40 kg/m for Cu " and 150—170 kg/m for H2SO4, from which the copper is recovered by electrowinning. The simplified reaction,... 

Analytical and Test Methods. o-Nitrotoluene can be analyzed for purity and isomer content by infrared spectroscopy with an accuracy of about 1%. -Nitrotoluene content can be estimated by the decomposition of the isomeric toluene diazonium chlorides because the ortho and meta isomers decompose more readily than the para isomer. A colorimetric method for determining the content of the various isomers is based on the color which forms when the mononitrotoluenes are dissolved in sulfuric acid (45). From the absorption of the sulfuric acid solution at 436 and 305 nm, the ortho and para isomer content can be deterrnined, and the meta isomer can be obtained by difference. However, this and other colorimetric methods are subject to possible interferences from other aromatic nitro compounds. A titrimetric method, based on the reduction of the nitro group with titanium(III) sulfate or chloride, can be used to determine mononitrotoluenes (32). Chromatographic methods, eg, gas chromatography or high pressure Hquid chromatography, are well suited for the deterrnination of mononitrotoluenes as well as its individual isomers. Freezing points are used commonly as indicators of purity of the various isomers. 

Monosaccharides such as glucose and fmctose are the most suitable as starting materials. When starch is used, it is first hydrolyzed with oxahc acid or sulfuric acid into a monosaccharide, mainly glucose. It is then oxidized with nitric acid in an approximately 50% sulfuric acid solution at 63—85°C in the presence of a mixed catalyst of vanadium pentoxide and iron(III) sulfate. 

Depending on the strength of the product, Caro s acid should be transported ia accordance with the relevant regulations pertaining to the most appropriate sulfuric acid solution or to those of Hquid oxidizers not otherwise specified (NOS). 

The reaction takes place at atmospheric pressure. For stable control of the reaction rate, the reaction is first carried out at a temperature of 50°C and then at 60°C. Overall, this batch reaction takes about 9 hours. After completion of reaction, the slurry is diluted to about 70% sulfuric acid solution, and cmde sulfamic acid crystals are separated by centrifuge. The crystals are dissolved in mother Hquor to make a saturated solution at 60°C and the solution is concentrated under vacuum at 40°C. Purified sulfamic acid is obtained by recrystallization. 

The off-gas from the reactor contains CO2, SO, and H2SO4. The SO is removed by absorption (qv) into concentrated sulfuric acid solution or by other means. The CO2 and H2SO4 vapor is removed by absorption into water or alkaline solution. 

Uses. The dominant use of sulfur dioxide is as a captive intermediate for production of sulfuric acid. There is also substantial captive production in the pulp and paper industry for sulfite pulping, and it is used as an intermediate for on-site production of bleaches, eg, chlorine dioxide or sodium hydrosulfite (see Bleaching agents). There is a substantial merchant market for sulfur dioxide in the paper and pulp industry. Sulfur dioxide is used for the production of chlorine dioxide at the paper (qv) mill site by reduction of sodium chlorate in sulfuric acid solution and also for production of sodium dithionite by the reaction of sodium borohydride with sulfur dioxide (315). This last appHcation was growing rapidly in North America as of the late 1990s. 

Figures 5 and 6 present the electrical conductivity of sulfuric acid solutions (51,52). For sulfuric acid solutions in the 90—100% H2SO concentration range, the electrical conductivity measurements reported by Reference 52 are beheved to be the best values other conductivity data are also available...

The viscosity of sulfuric acid solutions is plotted in Figure 7 (55) other viscosity data may be found in References 54—60. Surface tension of sulfuric acid solutions is presented in Figure 8 (61). Surface tension of selected concentrations of sulfuric acid as a function of temperature up to the boiling point is given in Reference 62 other data are also available (58,59,63—65). 

The index of refraction of sulfuric acid solutions (62) and additional related data (66), along with solubiUty data for oxygen in sulfuric acid solutions (67), are available in the Hterature. The solubiUty of sulfur dioxide in concentrated sulfuric acid is shown in Figure 9 (68) additional data are also available (69). 

Data on chemical properties such as self-dissociation constants for sulfuric and dideuterosulfuric acid (60,65,70,71), as well as an excellent graphical representation of physical property data of 100% H2SO4 (72), are available in the Hterature. Critical temperatures of sulfuric acid solutions are presented in Figure 10 (73). 

A tabulation of the partial pressures of sulfuric acid, water, and sulfur trioxide for sulfuric acid solutions can be found in Reference 80 from data reported in Reference 81. Figure 13 is a plot of total vapor pressure for 0—100% H2SO4 vs temperature. References 81 and 82 present thermodynamic modeling studies for vapor-phase chemical equilibrium and liquid-phase enthalpy concentration behavior for the sulfuric acid—water system. Vapor pressure, enthalpy, and dew poiat data are iacluded. An excellent study of vapor—liquid equilibrium data are available (79). 

Materials of Construction. Resistance of alloys to concentrated sulfuric acid corrosion iacreases with increasing chromium, molybdenum, copper, and siUcon content. The corrosiveness of sulfuric acid solutions is highly dependent on concentration, temperature, acid velocity, and acid impurities. An excellent summary is available (114). Good general discussions of materials of constmction used ia modem sulfuric acid plants may be found ia References 115 and 116. More detailed discussions are also available (117—121). For nickel-containing alloys Reference 122 is appropriate. An excellent compilation of the relatively scarce Hterature data on corrosion of alloys ia Hquid sulfur trioxide and oleum may be found ia Reference 122. 

Although gravimetric methods have been used traditionally for the determination of large amounts of tellurium, more accurate and convenient volumetric methods are favored. The oxidation of teUurium(IV) by ceric sulfate in hot sulfuric acid solution in the presence of chromic ion as catalyst affords a convenient volumetric method for the determination of tellurium (32). Selenium(IV) does not interfere if the sulfuric acid is less than 2 N in concentration. Excess ceric sulfate is added, the excess being titrated with ferrous ammonium sulfate using o-phenanthroline ferrous—sulfate as indicator. The ceric sulfate method is best appHed in tellurium-rich materials such as refined tellurium or tellurium compounds. 

Stannous Sulfate. Stannous sulfate (tin(Il) sulfate), mol wt 214.75, SnSO, is a white crystalline powder which decomposes above 360°C. Because of internal redox reactions and a residue of acid moisture, the commercial product tends to discolor and degrade at ca 60°C. It is soluble in concentrated sulfuric acid and in water (330 g/L at 25°C). The solubihty in sulfuric acid solutions decreases as the concentration of free sulfuric acid increases. Stannous sulfate can be prepared from the reaction of excess sulfuric acid (specific gravity 1.53) and granulated tin for several days at 100°C until the reaction has ceased. Stannous sulfate is extracted with water and the aqueous solution evaporates in vacuo. Methanol is used to remove excess acid. It is also prepared by reaction of stannous oxide and sulfuric acid and by the direct electrolysis of high grade tin metal in sulfuric acid solutions of moderate strength in cells with anion-exchange membranes (36). 

Vanadium(IV) Oxysulfate. Vanadium(IV) oxysulfate pentahydrate (vanadyl sulfate), VOSO4 -5H20) is an ethereal blue sohd and is readily soluble in water. It forms from the reduction of V20 by SO2 in sulfuric acid solution. Vanadium(III) sulfate [13701 -70-7] ) is a powerful... 

For solvent extraction of a tetravalent vanadium oxyvanadium cation, the leach solution is acidified to ca pH 1.6—2.0 by addition of sulfuric acid, and the redox potential is adjusted to —250 mV by heating and reaction with iron powder. Vanadium is extracted from the blue solution in ca six countercurrent mixer—settler stages by a kerosene solution of 5—6 wt % di-2-ethyIhexyl phosphoric acid (EHPA) and 3 wt % tributyl phosphate (TBP). The organic solvent is stripped by a 15 wt % sulfuric acid solution. The rich strip Hquor containing ca 50—65 g V20 /L is oxidized batchwise initially at pH 0.3 by addition of sodium chlorate then it is heated to 70°C and agitated during the addition of NH to raise the pH to 0.6. Vanadium pentoxide of 98—99% grade precipitates, is removed by filtration, and then is fused and flaked. 

For vanadium solvent extraction, Hon powder can be added to reduce pentavalent vanadium to quadrivalent and trivalent Hon to divalent at a redox potential of —150 mV. The pH is adjusted to 2 by addition of NH, and an oxyvanadium cation is extracted in four countercurrent stages of mixer—settlers by a diesel oil solution of EHPA. Vanadium is stripped from the organic solvent with a 15 wt % sulfuric acid solution in four countercurrent stages. Addition of NH, steam, and sodium chlorate to the strip Hquor results in the precipitation of vanadium oxides, which are filtered, dried, fused, and flaked (22). Vanadium can also be extracted from oxidized uranium raffinate by solvent extraction with a tertiary amine, and ammonium metavanadate is produced from the soda-ash strip Hquor. Fused and flaked pentoxide is made from the ammonium metavanadate (23). 

Fluoride. A fluoride concentration of ca 1 mg/L is helpful in preventing dental caries. Eluoride is deterrnined potentiometrically with an ion-selective electrode. A buffer solution of high total ionic strength is added to the solution to eliminate variations in sample ionic strength and to maintain the sample at pH 5—8, the optimum range for measurement. (Cyclohexylenedinitrilo)tetraacetic acid (CDTA) is usually added to the buffer solution to complex aluminum and thereby prevent its interference. If fluoroborate ion is present, the sample should be distilled from a concentrated sulfuric acid solution to hydrolyze the fluoroborate to free fluoride prior to the electrode measurement (26,27). 

Some water samples contain phosphoms forms other than phosphate, eg, polyphosphate, hexametaphosphate, and organic phosphates. These forms can be hydrolyzed to phosphate in hot sulfuric acid solution and deterrnined by the preceding method. The more refractory organic phosphates require digestion in a sulfuric acid—ammonium persulfate solution. Ion chromatography can also be used to measure at 2 to 10 ppb (21). 

In the initial thiocyanate-complex Hquid—Hquid extraction process (42,43), the thiocyanate complexes of hafnium and zirconium were extracted with ether from a dilute sulfuric acid solution of zirconium and hafnium to obtain hafnium. This process was modified in 1949—1950 by an Oak Ridge team and is stiH used in the United States. A solution of thiocyanic acid in methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) is used to extract hafnium preferentially from a concentrated zirconium—hafnium oxide chloride solution which also contains thiocyanic acid. The separated metals are recovered by precipitation as basic zirconium sulfate and hydrous hafnium oxide, respectively, and calcined to the oxide (44,45). This process is used by Teledyne Wah Chang Albany Corporation and Western Zirconium Division of Westinghouse, and was used by Carbomndum Metals Company, Reactive Metals Inc., AMAX Specialty Metals, Toyo Zirconium in Japan, and Pechiney Ugine Kuhlmann in France. 

Sulfates. Sulfate ions strongly complex zirconium, removing hydroxyl groups and forming anionic complexes. With increasing acidity, all hydroxyl groups are replaced zirconium sulfate [7446-31-3] Zr(S04)2-4H20, with an orthorhombic stmcture (206), can be crystallized from a 45% sulfuric acid solution. Zirconium sulfate forms various hydrates, and 13 different crystalline Zr(S0 2 5 2 [14644-61-2] systems are described in Reference 207. 

Assay of beryUium metal and beryUium compounds is usuaUy accompHshed by titration. The sample is dissolved in sulfuric acid. Solution pH is adjusted to 8.5 using sodium hydroxide. The beryUium hydroxide precipitate is redissolved by addition of excess sodium fluoride. Liberated hydroxide is titrated with sulfuric acid. The beryUium content of the sample is calculated from the titration volume. Standards containing known beryUium concentrations must be analyzed along with the samples, as complexation of beryUium by fluoride is not quantitative. Titration rate and hold times ate critical therefore use of an automatic titrator is recommended. Other fluotide-complexing elements such as aluminum, sUicon, zirconium, hafnium, uranium, thorium, and rate earth elements must be absent, or must be corrected for if present in smaU amounts. Copper-beryUium and nickel—beryUium aUoys can be analyzed by titration if the beryUium is first separated from copper, nickel, and cobalt by ammonium hydroxide precipitation (15,16). 

At room temperature bismuthine rapidly decomposes into its elements. The rate of decomposition increases markedly at higher temperatures (8). Bismuthine decomposes when bubbled through silver nitrate or alkafl solutions but is unaffected by light, hydrogen sulfide, or 4 sulfuric acid solution. There is no evidence for the formation of BiH, though the phenyl derivative, (C H BU, is known. The existence of BiH would not be anticipated on the basis of the trend found with other Group 15 (V) "onium" ions. 

More recendy, the molten caustic leaching (MCL) process developed by TRW, Inc. has received attention (28,31,32). This process is illustrated in Eigure 6. A coal is fed to a rotary kiln to convert both the mineral matter and the sulfur into water- or acid-soluble compounds. The coal cake discharged from the kiln is washed first with water and then with dilute sulfuric acid solution countercurrendy. The efduent is treated with lime to precipitate out calcium sulfate, iron hydroxide, and sodium—iron hydroxy sulfate. The MCL process can typically produce ultraclean coal having 0.4 to 0.7% sulfur, 0.1 to 0.65% ash, and 25.5 to 14.8 MJ/kg (6100—3500 kcal/kg) from a high sulfur, ie, 4 wt % sulfur and ca 11 wt % ash, coal. The moisture content of the product coal varies from 10 to 50%. 

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