Sulfuric acid
Produce directly from spent acid, elemental sulfur or sulfur compound containing gases
Whether you produce sulfuric acid from elemental sulfur or from SO2 regenerate spent sulfuric acid or clean sulfurous gases, we have the optimal solution. Our high activity catalysts provide high conversion, high energy efficiency, low-pressure drop, production stability, as well as an exceptionally long life in any sulfuric acid plant. They ensure that our customers achieve higher production rates, improved heat recovery, fast start-up, optimal energy efficiency and the lowest possible SO2 emissions. Our Wet gas Sulfuric Acid (WSA) technology converts sulfurous gases to commercial-grade sulfuric acid without drying the gas, with a high energy efficiency and very low emissions.
Technical service
Based on experience over more than half a century, Topsoe has established an extensive technical service programme available to our VK catalyst users. In addition to frequent contact, the service programme includes activity testing of catalyst samples, evaluations of catalyst performance, plant optimization, troubleshooting and management of catalyst replacement.
Activity testing of catalyst samples represents a valuable source of information, which combined with data evaluations of the plant performance enables Topsoe to optimize future catalyst management.
Related Downloads

Tip the scales - get more from your sulfuric acid catalyst expenses with VK38+ .
Selecting the right catalysts for a SO2 converter has always been about balancing expenses and gains. The new VK38+ helps create that balance – and more.
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COST-EFFECTIVE BOOST OF PLANT PERFORMANCE WITH NEW LEAP5™ CATALYSTS FOR SO2 OXIDATION
The profitability of sulfuric acid production is closely related to the production rates achievable within SO2 emission limits. The optimal operating conditions of a plant depend strongly on the plant configuration, catalyst volumes and catalyst activities, and as SO2 emission limits are tightened, more active sulfuric acid catalysts are required to maintain the desired production rates.
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New Improved dust protection catalyst
The introduction of the first dust protection catalyst, VK38 in the shape of 20 mm rings in the 1970ies, provided invaluable savings for sulphuric acid plants suffering from pressure drop build-up as a result of dust present in the feed gas. Industrial experience from more than 60 installations shows prolonged production campaigns by minimum 50-75% and thereby, a reduction of time consuming and expensive shutdowns for catalyst screening as well as significant savings in blower energy over time
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VK38+: Innovating on existing catalyst solutions
Exploring a new catalytic solution for improving efficiency and energy balance in sulfuric acid plants
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Understanding dynamics and emissions during sulfuric acid converter startup
Increased attention on emissions during startup of sulfuric acid plants calls for better understanding of the dynamics of the plants and the phenomena controlling the emissions of SO2 and acid mist.
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Dynamic simulations Sulfuric acid
Sulfuric acid plants often encounter transient phenomena such as emission spikes during unsteady operation. Emission spikes and related phenomena can be understood and predicted by considering the sulfur content of the V2O5-based catalyst used in sulfuric acid converters.
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The profitable way to sulfuric acid
Profit margins are slim in the sulfuric acid business, and plants that want to succeed need feedstock flexibility, high conversion rates, low energy consumption and high reliability. They also have to meet increasingly strict limits on SO2 emission
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