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Sulfuric acid sulfur burning Plants

High-efficiency production process

Sulfuric acid sulfur burning Plants

The primary method for producing sulfuric acid is the sulfur burning process,

a highly efficient technology involving the combustion of elemental sulfur with dry air to produce sulfur dioxide (SO₂). This is catalytically converted into sulfur trioxide (SO₃) and subsequently absorbed into water to yield sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄).

Key Process Steps

The sulfur burning process ensures efficient production, resource optimization, and reduced emissions through carefully engineered stages. Here's an overview of the key steps.

  • Sulfur melting and atomisation
  • Sulfur combustion
  • Dry catalytic conversion of SO₂ to SO₃
  • Absorption in concentrated acid
  • Waste heat recovery
  • Power generation

Tailored Process Routes for Diverse Needs

Ballestra offers a range of process configurations to meet varying production capacities, plant complexities, and environmental standards:

  • Single Contact Single Absorption (SCSA) – Proprietary or MECS-based technology, with a 98-99% conversion factor
  • Double Contact Double Absorption (DCDA) – proprietary or MECS technology achieving up to 99.93% conversion and SO₂ emissions in line with the most stringent environmental regulations
  • DCDA with HRS™ Technology – Proprietary MECS technology for enhanced heat recovery up to 90% of the total heat generated, maximizing energy efficiency.

Plant Highlights

Ballestra’s sulfuric acid plants combine efficiency, reliability, and sustainability with:

  • Production capacities ranging from small-scale plants to over 5,000 MTPD.
  • Expertise in design, fabrication, and inspection, including MECS proprietary equipment.
  • Optimized material selection for durability and performance.
  • Compact plant layouts and full 3D modelling for seamless integration into larger complexes.
  • Advanced automation for ease of operation and maintenance.
  • Energy efficiency and minimized emissions to meet global environmental standards.

Get in Touch

To revolutionize your sulfuric acid production with innovative sulfur burning solutions tailored specifically to your plant’s needs.

Contact us Ballestra S.p.A.