Lead chamber process

The lead chamber process was an industrial process used to produce relatively strong concentrations of sulfuric acid in large quantities.

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In 1746, John Roebuck began producing sulfuric acid in lead-lined chambers, which were stronger, less expensive, and could be made larger than the glass containers which had been used previously. This allowed the effective industrialization of sulfuric acid production, and with several refinements remained the standard method of production for almost two centuries.

The reaction

2SO₂ + O₂ → 2SO₃

is catalysed by oxides of nitrogen through the intermediate formation of HOSO₂ONO. The SO₃ produced is dissolved in water contained in the chamber.

Concentrations ranged from 35%-40%, and after numerous refinements up to 78%. The method was eventually replaced by the contact process which produces concentrated sulphuric acid (usually 98%), at much lower cost.

References

• Derry, Thomas Kingston and Williams, Trevor I., (1993) A Short History of Technology : From the Earliest Times to A.D. 1900. New York: Dover Publications.