headerdrawing1.jpg (96365 bytes)

Sulphuric Acid on the WebTM Technical Manual DKL Engineering, Inc.

Knowledge for the Sulphuric Acid Industry Line.jpg (1139 bytes)

Sulphuric Acid on the Web

Introduction
General
Equipment Suppliers
Contractor

Instrumentation
Industry News
Maintenance
Acid Traders
Organizations
Fabricators
Conferences

Used Plants
Intellectual Propoerty
Acid Plant Database
Market Information
Library

Technical Manual

Introduction
General

Definitions
Instrumentation
Plant Safety
Metallurgial Processes
Metallurgical
Sulphur Burning
Acid Regeneration
Lead Chamber
Technology
Gas Cleaning
Contact
Strong Acid
Acid Storage
Loading/Unloading

Transportation
Sulphur Systems
Liquid SO2
Boiler Feed Water
Steam Systems

Cooling Water
Effluent Treatment
Utilities
Construction
Maintenance
Inspection
Analytical Procedures
Materials of Construction
Corrosion
Properties
Vendor Data

DKL Engineering, Inc.

Handbook of Sulphuric Acid Manufacturing
Order Form
Preface
Contents
Feedback

Sulphuric Acid Decolourization
Order Form
Preface
Table of Contents

Process Engineering Data Sheets - PEDS
Order Form
Table of Contents

Introduction

Bibliography of Sulphuric Acid Technology
Order Form

Preface
Contents

Sulphuric Acid Plant Specifications
 

Google Search new2.gif (111 bytes)

 

 


Instrumentation - Acid Concentration
March 25, 2024

Introduction
Conductivity
Refraction
Sound Velocity
Recommended Methods
Instruments
Associated Links

Introduction

The on-line continuous measurement of sulphuric acid/oleum is based on the fact that a physical property will change as the concentration changes.  Properties such as conductivity, refractive index and sound velocity are typically used to measure sulphuric acid/oleum concentrations.  The recommended methods of measurement over the whole range of sulphuric acid and oleum are given below.

Conductivity

Electrical conductivity is a property of a fluid that can be used to determine its concentration.  The graph below shows the conductivity (micromhos) at 25ºC for several different fluids, including sulphuric acid from 0 to 100%wt.  The vertical axis ranges from 0 to 900,000 micromhos.

For sulphuric acid, the conductivity varies such that for a given conductivity there could be more than one concentration.  This makes conductivity unsuitable for measurement over the full range of acid concentration (i.e. 0 to 100% H2SO4).  However, conductivity can be used where the concentration will vary over a small range and where the range will not cross over one of the peaks or valleys of the conductivity curve.

condcurve.GIF (33807 bytes)

RefractionRefind.jpg (39468 bytes)mprescan.gif (3512 bytes)

The refraction of light through sulphuric acid will depend on the temperature and concentration.  This property can be used to determine the concentration of sulphuric acid. 

Energy radiated from a LED passes through the prism surface to be reflected off a mirror to the prism-to-process interface.  The light reaching this interface intersects the same interface over a series of angles chosen to include the critical angle (Ic) for the process being measured.  Light intersecting the interface at an angle greater than the critical angle is refracted into the solution.  Light intersecting the interface at less than the critical angle is reflected up to a mirror and out of the prism up to the charge coupled device (COD) linear array to be scanned.

The image seen by the CCD is composed of simple light and dark periods.   As the refractive index of the process changes, the change in critical angle, changes the ratio of light to dark periods as seen by the CCD.  This time period change is further enhanced and displayed as a reading in refractive index.

Sound Velocity

The velocity of sound in sulphuric acid/oleum can be used to determine the acid concentration.  The first graph illustrates the variation of sound velocity with acid concentration (0 to 100% H2SO4) and second graph illustrates the same relationship except for oleum.

The nature of sound velocity in sulphuric acid makes this property ideal for determining acid concentrations in the range of 60 to 100% H2SO4.   Calibration of the instrument is done by comparison with acid of known concentration.

The velocity of sound in sulphuric acid/oleum is affected by the presence of bubbles and cleanliness of the acid.  The sample must be drawn off in such a manner as to avoid entrainment of bubbles and foreign matter which will affect the accuracy of the measurement.

sound1.GIF (13492 bytes)sound2.GIF (31600 bytes)

Recommended Methods

The recommended methods of measurement over the whole range of sulphuric acid and oleum are given in the following table.

Sulphuric Acid
%
H2SO4
Oleum
% Oleum
Recommended Method
0-25% - Conductivity
35-75% - Conductivity
60-100% - Sound Velocity
95-100% - Conductivity, Sound Velocity
100-107.875% 0-35% Sound Velocity
107.875-122.5% 35-100% Sound Velocity

Instruments

Type Range Manufacturer Model No. Remarks
Conductivity and Sound Velocity - SensoTech GmbH LiquiSonic Accuracy: ± 0.05 wt%
Brochure
Conductivity 0-25% H2SO4
35-75%
H2SO4
95-100%
H2SO4
Foxboro Trans: 870EC-TF49F
Sensor: 871EC-TF2-V
Mtg Flg: 51191/EP129A (2")

Temperature compensation required

Rosemount Model 222 Toroidal Conductivity Maximum Temperature: 182ºC
Maximum Pressure: 125 psig
Connection: 1" or 2" - 150 lb Flange
Temperature compensation required
Density 0-90% H2SO4 DMA 5001 Benchtop density meter
Accuracy: <0.01% w/w
Can be combined with automatic filling device (Xsample 320)
Link to Anton Paar
DMA 35 Ampere Handheld device for onsite measurement
Accuracy: 0.5% w/w
Link to Anton Paar
Refraction - The Electron-Machine Corp.

MPR E-Scan

refractometer.GIF (9800 bytes)

Accuracy: ± 1% of span or 0.000075 Refractive Index (RI) whichever is greater
Span: 0.0015 RI minimum, 0.132 RI maximum
Temperature: up to 150ºC (300ºF)

Rimount.jpg (19055 bytes)Mounting:

- PIOX R721 Range: nD: 1.3 ... 1.7, oBrix: 0 ... 100
Temperature: -20 to 130oC
Pressure: PN10, PN16, on request PN40
-

Products:

Probe Process Refractometer PR-43-GP

Compact Process Refractometer PR-43-GP,

Saunders Body Refractometer PR-23-W

Teflon Body Refractometer PR-23-M,

Refinery Probe Process Refractometer PR-23-RP.

Range: Measurement range covers 0-100 % by weight (Refractive Index nD 1.3200 – 1.5300).  

Remarks: Reliable and accurate product based on digital sensing technology; even large amounts of suspended solids, bubbles or color changes do not affect the measurement or the accuracy. The accuracy is ±0.1 % b.w. and the measurement is automatically temperature compensated. The technology allows configuring low and high concentration alarms. Intrinsically safe and hazardous area certification is provided for hazardous areas. Special wetted parts materials such as AISI 904L stainless steel, Alloy 20, Hastelloy C-276, Nickel 200 and Titanium ASTM B348.

Process temperature range: -20°C to 150°C / -4°F to 302°F.

Sound Velocity 60-100% H2SO4 Nusonics
Model 86 Sonic Concentration Monitor

Sensor: HSX/T
Accuracy: ± 0.1wt% for 90-100% H2SO4
Range: 500-3000 m/s
Temperature: -15 to 185ºC

Application Note
Sound Velocity and Density 0-100% H2SO4
0-65% free SO3
DSA 5000 Benchtop sound velocity and density meter
Accuracy: 0.02% w/w H2SO4, 0.04-0.1% free SO3
Covers the whole sulfuric acid (0-100%) and Oleum range (0-65%)
Can be combined with automatic filling device (Xsample 320)
Link to Anton Paar
0-110% H2SO4 L-Sonic 5100
L-Dens 7400
L-Com 5500
  • Accuracy up to ± 0.02 wt%

  • One-stop shop: cover entire H2SO4 and Oleum range with one portfolio

  • No reversal points for 90% - 110% H2SO4

  • Combination of sound velocity and density in one sensor

  • Space and cost saving sensor integrated evaluation unit

  • Special wetted parts such as Hastelloy, Tantalum, 24k Gold or Rhodium

  • Customer specific solutions (e.g. adapters, individual sound fork lengths)

  • Automated temperature compensated measurement

  • In-house formula development for customer specific solutions