Why do chemists choose 450°C and just 2 atm? The economics will surprise you.
🏭 You Are the Factory Engineer
You've been handed the blueprints for a sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄) factory. Your boss slaps a single sheet on your desk:
Your Mission
Convert SO₂ + O₂ → SO₃
as cheaply and efficiently as possible.
This single step — Stage 2 of the Contact Process — is where billions of pounds are made or lost. The conditions you choose will determine whether your factory turns a profit or goes bankrupt.