What mass of sulfuric acid will be obtained from 300 kg of sulfur containing 10% impurities?

In order to obtain sulfuric acid from sulfur, you must first burn sulfur in oxygen, then burn the resulting sulfur dioxide in oxygen. And only after that the obtained sulfur trioxide is dissolved in water.

The reaction equation for the combustion of sulfur in oxygen:

S + O2 = SO2 [1]

The equation for obtaining sulfur oxide (VI):

2 SO2 + O2 = 2 SO3 [2]

Obtaining sulfuric acid from sulfuric anhydride and water:

SO3 + H2O = H2SO4 [3]

To start the calculations, you need to find out the mass of pure sulfur / Mass fraction of sulfur in the mixture = 100% – 10% = 90%

m = (300 * 90) / 100 = 270 kg = 270,000 g.

Using equation [1], we calculate the mass of SO2. Molar mass of sulfur = 32 g / mol, molar mass of sulfur dioxide = 64 g / mol

270,000 g sulfur corresponds to X g SO2, as

32 g / mol sulfur corresponds to 64 g / mol SO2

X = (270,000 * 64) / 32 = 540,000 g of sulfur oxide (IV)

Let us calculate the SO3 mass by equation [2]. Molar mass of sulfur trioxide = 80 g / mol

540,000 g. SO2 corresponds to Y g. SO3, as

2 * 64 g / mol SO2 corresponds to 2 * 80 g / mol SO3

Y = (540,000 * 2 * 80) / (2 * 64) = 675,000 SO3

Now let’s calculate the mass of sulfuric acid, which is formed from the obtained sulfur trioxide according to the equation [3]. Molar mass H2SO4 = 98 g / mol.

675000 g SO3 corresponds to Z g sulfuric acid, as

80 g / mol SO3 corresponds to 98 g / mol sulfuric acid.

Z = (675000 * 98) / 80 = 826875 g of sulfuric acid

Answer: 826875 g. Sulfuric acid