Copper chloride process

The copper chloride process is a chemical reaction taking in air, water and sulfur dioxide producing sulfuric acid.

Core Reactions

• Aqueous copper (II) chloride oxidizes sulfur dioxide to sulfur trioxide which is then absorbed by the water, giving precipitated copper (I) chloride hydrochloric acid, and sulfuric acid.

  {{#chem: SO2(g) + 2 CuCl2(aq) + 2 H2O(l) = 2 HCl(aq) + H2SO4 (aq) + 2 CuCl(s)}}

• Solid copper (I) chloride in hydrochloric acid combines with gaseous oxygen, giving copper (II) chloride and water.

  {{#chem: 4 CuCl + 4 HCl + O2 = 4 CuCl2 + 2 H2O // both products are recycled to above reaction}}