Introduction

 Sulfur is a necessary element in several industrial processes.

 Of the total amount of sulfur produced, about 70-85% is used for the manufacture of sulfuric acid.
Sulfur is also used for the fertilizer industry, the chemical industry (18%), the color material and paint
industry , pulp and paper, steel, vulcanizing rubber, bleaching sugar, processing petroleum and
manufacturing matches, cosmetics, insecticides, plastics, batteries, explosives and film, ammonium
sulfate, alummunium sulfate.

 Sulfur mining location in Indonesia:

1. West Java: Mt. Tangkuban Perahu, Putri Lake, Mt. Galunggung, Mt. Ceremai, Telaga bodas
2. Central Java: Mt. Dieng
3. East Java: Mt. Arjuno, Mt. Welirang, Mt. Ijen
4. North Sumatera : Mt. Namora
5. North Sulawesi : Mt. Mahawu, Mt. Soputan, Mt. Sorek Merapi
6. Maluku : Damar Island
Sulfur Element  Sulfur is a chemical element in the periodic table
which has the symbol S and atomic number 16.
 Sulfur is a tasteless, odourless, brittle solid that is
pale yellow in colour, a poor conductor of
electricity, and insoluble in water
 Non-metallic element, belonging to the oxygen
group (Group 16 [VIa] of the periodic table),
 Sulfur, in its original form, is a yellow crystalline
solid.
 One of the most reactive of the elements.
 In nature, sulfur can be found as pure element or
as sulfide and sulfate minerals.
 Sulfur is an essential element for life and is found
in 2 amino acids i.e. Sisteina (Cys, C) and
Metionina (Met, M)
 One example of the common use of sulfur is in
fertilizers. Apart from that, sulfur is also used in
gunpowder, matches, insecticides and fungicides.
METHODS OF SULFUR PRODUCTION
Methods for sulfur production depend on the source of the sulfur itself:

1. Frasch Process
 The sulfur obtained from this process is carried out by liquefying sulfur under the ground / sea
with hot water, then pumping it above the earth's surface.
 This process uses 3 concentric pipes 6 ', 3', and 1 '.
 Hot water with a temperature of 325℃ is pumped into the sulfur rock through the 6 'pipe, so
that the sulfur will melt (235 F).
 Molten sulfur that is heavier than water will enter the bottom between the 3 'and 1' pipes, and
with the pressure of air pumped through the 1 'pipe, the water mixed with sulfur will rise to the top
as crude S, then processed into crude bright or refined S.
 Common in Indonesia (Ijen Crater)

2. Uptake of S from sulfide / sulfate rock

Sulfur can be obtained by taking from sulfide rocks such as pyrite FeS2, chalcopyrite CuFeS2,
coveline CuS, galena PbS, Zn Blende ZnS, CaSO4 casts, BaSO4 barrier, anglesite PbSO4, and others.
3. Mining from Volcano
 Sulfur deposits in volcanic mountains can be in the form of rock, sedimentary mud or sublimated
mud, the levels (concentration) are not very high (30-60%) and the amount is not so much (600-
1000 million tons). Utilization of sulfur in this way requires an increase in sulfur levels first by means of
flotation and benefication.
 The flotation method is by adding water and a frother which will make the sulfur floating and
can be separated. The benefication method is more complicated than flotation, namely first sulfur is
added with water and reagents, then the reagent is heated in an autoclave for 1 / 2-3 / 4 hours at a
pressure of 3 atm.
 Later every small particle of sulfur will be collected, then it is washed with water to remove the
soil. After that, it is heated again in an autoclave so that the sulfur will separate as an S layer with a
level (concentration) of 80-90%.

4. Extracting Sulfur from Exhaust Gas

 Indonesia has many industries that are growing. Hence, more exhaust gas is produced.
 Sulfur is one of the elements that can be obtained from the flue gas. Sulfur is obtained from flue gas
from burning coal or refining petroleum. This sulfur should not be discharged directly into the air
because it can cause pollution.
 The exhaust gas must first be absorbed using ethanolamine, then heated again to get the gas and
then further processed.
 Sulfur mining in Indonesia occurs when miners tap the volcano’s supply of sulfurous
gases with stone and ceramic pipes. Inside these pipes, sulfur cools to its molten state,
then drips out along Ijen lake’s edge and solidifies into pure, minable sulfur. Miners then
break up the sulfur with metal pipes, haul the pieces out of the crater and carry them
several miles to the weighing station. Typically, a miner will make several circuits in a day,
carrying loads of 100-200 pounds each.
 SULFUR MINING

Stages in Sulfur Production:

 Stage 1: Search and Determination of Construction Pipes used to utilize natural gas sublimation
 Stage 2: Installation Pipe to collect smoke sulfatara
 Stage 3: Sulfur Acquisition Process
 Stage 4: Transporting Sulfur Lumps to be processed into Sulfur Plates
 Stage 5: Sulfur Smelting Lump becomes liquid and put on special molds
 Stage 6: Sulfur process results are cut and packed
SULFUR MINING

PRODUCTS:
 Sulfur Powder
 Sulfur Flake
 Sulfur Pellet
9
USES & APPLICATION OF SULFUR
Uses of Sulfur in Industry & Manufactures
Here are the uses of sulfur and its compounds:
Cosmetics
Since ancient-times, sulfur is known to be “Beauty Mineral” for its magic works. It’s a mineral which put into a cosmetics or skin care which will
make a glowing and healthy skin, because sulfur create bonds in connective tissue and increase strength and flexibility.
Synthetic – rubber
In making synthetic rubber, there are lots of methods that can be used, there are vulcanization with polychloroprene, vulcanization of silicone
but the most common method is vulcanization with sulfur. It will forms bridges between individual polymer molecules. There are lots of
advantages that we can get from volcanized rubber, such as a good strength and quality of rubber, higher melt point, absorbs less water, and
much more
Fertilizers
Sulfur is one of the most essential mineral for plant. It helps crops to provide direct and indirect nutrients for a living. It also helps plants to
provide nutrients from other sources. Beside sulfur, there’s also potash that has 17 Uses of Potash in Agriculture Fields including as a fertilizer.
Sulfuric Acid
Sulfur is the main ingredients on making one of the most used chemical in the world, sulfuric acid. Sulfuric acid is a raw material in making
fertilizers, nitrogen, potassium, ore processing, oil refining, wastewater processing, chemical synthesis and other.
Sulphuric Acid Manufacturing Process
Sulphuric Acid is a colourless liquid which has an appearance similar to
that of water. It has a molecular weight of about 98. It is heavier than
water. The sulphuric acid can be diluted by water to get acids in various
strengths for different purposes. During the mixing process, sulphuric
acid should be added to water.
Sulphuric Acid Manufacturing Process Steps
First step: Production of Sulpur Dioxide Gas
(SO2)
The sulphur obtained from any kind of source is
burned to form sulphur dioxide gas. Care is to be
taken in this step so that the air supplied for
combustion process is dry. Any traces of water
present will result in the formation of acid and
cause corrosion within the combustion equipment.
Also if the sulphur contains carbonaceous
impurities then it has to be filtered. If the gas is not
filtered for the impurities then they will be carried
over through the equipments and if they reach
catalysts then they will tend to deactivate it. The
oxidation of sulphur to sulphur dioxide is a highly
irreversible process.
Second step: Production of Sulpur Trioxide
Gas (SO3)
The catalyst used for the catalytic oxidation of sulphur dioxide to
sulphur trioxide is Vanadium Pentoxide. Before sending the sulphur
dioxide to the reactor the gas is pretreated to remove any
impurities if present by Wet Scrubbing and if there are any fine
particles present then the gas is passed through electrostatic
precipitator. The oxidation of sulphur dioxide to sulphur trioxide is a
reversible process. The pressure is maintained at 1.2-1.5 atm and
temperature at 410-430°C.

If the temperature rises above 430°C then the equilibrium is

displaced away from Sulphur Trioxide, hence it is very important
that operating temperature should be maintained in this range.
Commonly the catalytic reactor is designed as a four stage bed
reactor. When the gas is passed to one catalyst bed it’s temperature
rises from the range of 410-430°C to about 600°C hence after each
stage the gas has to be cooled to the optimum temperature again
before passing it to the next stage.
• It is important that the sulphur dioxide be prevented from leaking in
the atmosphere as they not only pollute the air but also are a major
constitute in the cause of Acid Rain. Double Absorption helps in
ensuring that more of sulphur dioxide is converted to sulphur trioxide
and also overall doing this is beneficial for the process also in terms of
purity. After three stages the purity becomes 97-98% and after four
stages the purity becomes 99.5-99.8%.
Third step: Production of Sulphuric Acid
(H2SO4)
The sulphur trioxide is hydrated by absorption in a packed tower
which is filled with Sulphuric Acid of a specific range. This
specific range is 98-99%. If this concentration happens to be on
lower side then sulphur trioxide is not properly absorbed and
forms a troublesome mist. If the concentration happens to be on
the higher side then vapours become very significant inside the
tower. Hence it is important to maintain a good operation
concentration. The resulting acid strength can be adjusted by
controlling the flow rates of sulphur trioxide and water. The
resulting acid strength can be varied from 91 to about 100%
sulphuric acid.