General Information and Quick history
Originally named as the oil of vitriol, Sulfuric acid was prepared and created in the 16th century by Johann Vel Helmont. Helmont created it through distillation of green vitriol and burning sulfur. In the 17th century, Johann Glauber then created a synthesis process for sulfuric acid by burning sulfur with saltpeter. Joshua Ward then developed it commercially in England around the year 1740. The chamber process was then created by John Roebuck in 1746 and many others improved and developed it even farther. Finally, in 1830, the contact process was developed by Peregrine Phillips.
Originally named as the oil of vitriol, Sulfuric acid was prepared and created in the 16th century by Johann Vel Helmont. Helmont created it through distillation of green vitriol and burning sulfur. In the 17th century, Johann Glauber then created a synthesis process for sulfuric acid by burning sulfur with saltpeter. Joshua Ward then developed it commercially in England around the year 1740. The chamber process was then created by John Roebuck in 1746 and many others improved and developed it even farther. Finally, in 1830, the contact process was developed by Peregrine Phillips.
First Discovery (How and When)
The discovery and usage of vitriol began in ancient times. Sumerians kept tabs and information about many types of vitroil. Also, the Greek physician Dioscorides and Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder discussed and studied about vitroil's medical uses. It was first recognized in the Medival Times, when alchemists called it the oil of vitriol because it was created by roasting iron sulfate in an iron retort.
The discovery and usage of vitriol began in ancient times. Sumerians kept tabs and information about many types of vitroil. Also, the Greek physician Dioscorides and Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder discussed and studied about vitroil's medical uses. It was first recognized in the Medival Times, when alchemists called it the oil of vitriol because it was created by roasting iron sulfate in an iron retort.
Evolution
The evolution of sulfuric acid was a slow process overall. In the 17th century, Johann Glauber, a German-Dutch chemist, created sulfuric acid by burning sulfur with potassium nitrate (called saltpeter at the time). In 1736, a London pharmacist named Joshua Ward, used publicized this method of sulfuric acid and began a large scale production of sulfuric acid. Then in 1746, John Roebuck started to produce sulfuric acid in lead-lined chambers (chamber process). This made the chemical stronger and less expensive and started effective industrial development of sulfuric acid. Then French chemist Joseph Louis Gay-Lussac and British chemist and British chemist John Glover improved the concentration of the chemical. Afterwards, in 1831, Peregrine Phillips, a British vinegar merchant, produced the contact process. It was a far more economical to produce sulfur trioxide and as well as concentrated sulfuric acid. Which brings to the present day where over 90% of the worlds sulfuric acid is produced using the contact process.
The evolution of sulfuric acid was a slow process overall. In the 17th century, Johann Glauber, a German-Dutch chemist, created sulfuric acid by burning sulfur with potassium nitrate (called saltpeter at the time). In 1736, a London pharmacist named Joshua Ward, used publicized this method of sulfuric acid and began a large scale production of sulfuric acid. Then in 1746, John Roebuck started to produce sulfuric acid in lead-lined chambers (chamber process). This made the chemical stronger and less expensive and started effective industrial development of sulfuric acid. Then French chemist Joseph Louis Gay-Lussac and British chemist and British chemist John Glover improved the concentration of the chemical. Afterwards, in 1831, Peregrine Phillips, a British vinegar merchant, produced the contact process. It was a far more economical to produce sulfur trioxide and as well as concentrated sulfuric acid. Which brings to the present day where over 90% of the worlds sulfuric acid is produced using the contact process.