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 a mixture of 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}}

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