Spent acid (ca. 70 % H2SO4) is fed to the column from above, and it flows downward into the vessel in countercurrent with the exhaust vapors. Incoming acid is concentrated to 82 – 85 % H2SO4 by heat and mass transfer with the vapors; simultaneously, sulfuric acid present in the vapors is condensed almost completely. If the spent acid has an H2SO4 content greater than 70 % the acid is admitted at a tray lower in the column.The sulfuric acid concentration in the vessel itself must be kept above 80 % to avoid corrosion [136]. In most cases, the concentration of the boiling acid is maintained above 95 % (corresponding to a boiling temperature of ca. 330 °C). Under these conditions, the average corrosion loss-rate is about 8 – 10 mm per year [138]. A service life of ca. 3 – 5 years is achieved by designing the vessel with a sufficiently thick wall.The acid is heated indirectly by flue gases passing around the vessel. These flue gases, generated by burning fuel oil or gas, enter the furnace cavity at 800 – 1100 °C and leave it at ca. 450 °C. The mean heating-surface load of the vessel is ca. 144 000 kJm–2 h–1 = 40 kW/m2 [138]. The high flue-gas temperature means that the wall material of the vessel on the furnace side is subject to heavy stress.
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