Oleum Gas:
A major oleum gas leak at Bhageria Industries Ltd in Boisar, Maharashtra, forced the evacuation of over 2,000 residents, including 1,600 students.Oleum, commonly referred to as fuming sulfuric acid, is a highly corrosive chemical consisting of dissolved sulfur trioxide (SO₃) in concentrated sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄). It releases dense white fumes when exposed to moist air.Oleum is produced through the Contact Process, which involves:Burning sulfur to produce sulfur dioxide (SO₂),Oxidizing SO₂ to sulfur trioxide (SO₃),Absorbing SO₃ into concentrated sulfuric acid to form oleum. This method avoids directly dissolving SO₃ in water, which would create an uncontrollable acid mist.
Properties of the Gas:
- It appears as dense, white cloudish smoke when leaked into the air.
- Its freezing point varies strongly with concentration; it can be solid at room temperature or remain liquid as low as zero degree.
- It is an extremely strong dehydrating agent, capable of pulling water elements out of sugars to leave pure carbon (the carbon snake reaction).
- It is highly corrosive but lacks free water to attack surfaces, making it less corrosive to certain metals in its pure form compared to diluted acid.
