In the common process for the manufacture of nitric acid, sodium nitrate is treated with aq. sulphuric acid containing 95% H2SO4. In order that the resulting "niter cake" may be fluid; it is desirable to use sufficient acid so that there will be 34% H2SO4 by wt in the final cake. This excess H2SO4 will actually be in combination with the Na2SO4 in the cake, forming NaHSO4, although for purposes of computation it may be assumed to be free acid. The cake will contain 1.5% water and the reaction will go to completion, but 2% of the HNO3 formed will remain in the cake. Assume that the NaNO3 used is dry and pure. Calculate per 100 kg of NaNO3 charged: (a) wt and % composition of the niter cake (b) wt of aqueous acid to be used (c) wt of water vapor and nitric acid distilled from the niter cake.
In the common process for the manufacture of nitric acid, sodium nitrate is treated with aq. sulphuric acid containing 95% H2SO4. In order that the resulting "niter cake" may be fluid; it is desirable to use sufficient acid so that there will be 34% H2SO4 by wt in the final cake. This excess H2SO4 will actually be in combination with the Na2SO4 in the cake, forming NaHSO4, although for purposes of computation it may be assumed to be free acid. The cake will contain 1.5% water and the reaction will go to completion, but 2% of the HNO3 formed will remain in the cake. Assume that the NaNO3 used is dry and pure. Calculate per 100 kg of NaNO3 charged:
(a) wt and % composition of the niter cake
(b) wt of aqueous acid to be used
(c) wt of water vapor and nitric acid distilled from the niter cake.
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