Reducing the environmental impact of sulfuric acid

The sulphuric acid used as the catalyst in the alkylation process is regenerated.

Using proprietary technology developed in the USA in the 40s but still applicable today, Rhodia has been serving more than half the sulphuric acid regeneration market in the United States.
Sulphuric acid is used as a catalyst in the alkylation process to produce gasoline. At the end of the reaction, the sulphuric acid is black and charged with organic components. Rhodia‘s process restores the sulphuric acid’s original properties and thus eliminates the need to discharge almost 2 million tons of contaminated sulfuric acid each year. In the 60 years since Rhodia began providing this treatment service, more than 100 million tons have been regenerated that otherwise would have been discharged into the environment.