3. SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS OF SULPHURIC ACID PRODUCTION
1. Safety Aspects
1. Basic Safety Aspects due to Physical properties and behaviour of Sulfuric acid.
Basically, we know attention is paramount when adding water to a highly concentrated acid and this is the case with sulphuric acid which is highly risky. Sulfuric acid can have serious adverse effects like burns if it contacts the skin. This is due to the dehydrating properties of the acid on organic materials. Also, when the acid is heated the vapour from it is dangerous when inhaled. Inhaling the vapour from the acid can cause damage to the teeth and enamel, and swelling and itching of the respiratory system.
Exposure to low concentrations of sulphuric acid for longer periods …show more content…
• Depending on the source of sulphur dioxide in the sulphuric acid production process other pollutants can be observed in trace amounts like heavy metals for example mercury.
1. Negative impacts of sulphuric acid and the manufacturing industry on the environment
Despite the cautious steps taken by the sulfuric acid industry there is always the risk of accidental leaks which will have a negative effect on the environment for example the chemical plant in Oberhausen, Germany, where an accident caused a sulfuric acid cloud to float over the city. From this accident at least over 150 people have been treated for breathing problems. Sad to say but some production factories practise wrong methods of disposal and are negligent to environmental concerns. The widely used sulphur in this industry is emitted into the atmosphere since the sulphur bonds are not easily destroyed. Inhalation of sulphur by animals damages the brain by inducing the malfunctioning of the hypothalamus and destruction of the nervous system.
Seepage of sulphur dioxide have adverse effects on trees, textiles, humans, animals, building materials because of exposure to long term low concentration or short term high …show more content…
Handling emissions and by-products of the sulfuric acid industry
The best way of dealing with pollution in the whole sulphuric acid manufacturing process is monitoring When choosing a factory site adequate conditions for proper waste handling and potential needs for waste treatment need to be considered. Also, the acceptable resilience levels for the different effluents should be given attention based on the permitted requirements. Relevant authorities have to be consulted during the primary site survey to help regulate the standards required.
Elusive discharge of sulphur oxides and sulphuric acid mist are the paramount environmental problems facing the sulfuric acid production industry. Great standards of continuity in some plants makes it possible that most of the sulphur dioxide produced is transformed to sulphuric acid and recuperated, but small fumes of sulphur dioxide are always released into the atmosphere putting in danger the ambient air quality and hence must be checked intermittently
This check involve constant monitoring of the production process and emission. For the monitoring of sulphur dioxide, emission monitoring equipment should be installed, monitoring reports made, and analysis done to know the amount of the gas
1. Safety Aspects
1. Basic Safety Aspects due to Physical properties and behaviour of Sulfuric acid.
Basically, we know attention is paramount when adding water to a highly concentrated acid and this is the case with sulphuric acid which is highly risky. Sulfuric acid can have serious adverse effects like burns if it contacts the skin. This is due to the dehydrating properties of the acid on organic materials. Also, when the acid is heated the vapour from it is dangerous when inhaled. Inhaling the vapour from the acid can cause damage to the teeth and enamel, and swelling and itching of the respiratory system.
Exposure to low concentrations of sulphuric acid for longer periods …show more content…
• Depending on the source of sulphur dioxide in the sulphuric acid production process other pollutants can be observed in trace amounts like heavy metals for example mercury.
1. Negative impacts of sulphuric acid and the manufacturing industry on the environment
Despite the cautious steps taken by the sulfuric acid industry there is always the risk of accidental leaks which will have a negative effect on the environment for example the chemical plant in Oberhausen, Germany, where an accident caused a sulfuric acid cloud to float over the city. From this accident at least over 150 people have been treated for breathing problems. Sad to say but some production factories practise wrong methods of disposal and are negligent to environmental concerns. The widely used sulphur in this industry is emitted into the atmosphere since the sulphur bonds are not easily destroyed. Inhalation of sulphur by animals damages the brain by inducing the malfunctioning of the hypothalamus and destruction of the nervous system.
Seepage of sulphur dioxide have adverse effects on trees, textiles, humans, animals, building materials because of exposure to long term low concentration or short term high …show more content…
Handling emissions and by-products of the sulfuric acid industry
The best way of dealing with pollution in the whole sulphuric acid manufacturing process is monitoring When choosing a factory site adequate conditions for proper waste handling and potential needs for waste treatment need to be considered. Also, the acceptable resilience levels for the different effluents should be given attention based on the permitted requirements. Relevant authorities have to be consulted during the primary site survey to help regulate the standards required.
Elusive discharge of sulphur oxides and sulphuric acid mist are the paramount environmental problems facing the sulfuric acid production industry. Great standards of continuity in some plants makes it possible that most of the sulphur dioxide produced is transformed to sulphuric acid and recuperated, but small fumes of sulphur dioxide are always released into the atmosphere putting in danger the ambient air quality and hence must be checked intermittently
This check involve constant monitoring of the production process and emission. For the monitoring of sulphur dioxide, emission monitoring equipment should be installed, monitoring reports made, and analysis done to know the amount of the gas