Lead chamber process

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 sulfuric acid (usually 98%), at much lower cost.

Further reading

• Derry, Thomas Kingston; Williams, Trevor I. (1993). A Short History of Technology: From the Earliest Times to A.D. 1900. New York: Dover.
• Kiefer, David M. Sulfuric Acid: Pumping Up the Volume. American Chemical Society. (2001). .