Sulfur (from Latin Sulfur) S

Potassium alum (occurrence: Uzbekistan, Italy, USA, in Poland near Sandomierz), barite (USA, Great Britain, Germany, in Poland in the Świętokrzyskie Mountains), jarosite (Germany, Spain, Greece, Russia, in Poland in the Świętokrzyskie Mountains), anhydrite (USA, Germany, Russia, in Poland near Inowrocław).

A non-metal, a crystalline yellow solid, insoluble in water, tasteless and odorless, available in two allotropic varieties: rhombic sulfur and monoclinic sulfur. Depending on the variety, sulfur has different crystallographic forms, it is not very reactive at room temperature, it is a component of amino acids such as methionine or cysteine, creating disulfide bridges that stabilize the tertiary structure of proteins, and under normal conditions it is an electrical insulator. Its oxides are harmful not only to plants and the environment, but also to architecture and infrastructure, they initiate corrosion of metal structures.

FeS, H2S, H2SO4, SO2, MgSO4, Na2SO4

Sulfur is obtained by desulfurization of exhaust gases and fossil fuels, exploitation of native sulfur deposits and by roasting sulphide ores (e.g. pyrite). The process used to produce native sulfur is the Frash underground smelting technology, which involves feeding superheated process water (formation water) with a temperature of up to 165oC and increased pressure through a production well through technical pipe risers. The superheated water is used to heat the sulfur deposit. After releasing the transported heat, the formation water is collected from neighboring wells and 100% recycled to the treatment and reheating process. The second technical column of the production reaches deeper and uses the difference in specific gravity to extract sulfur to the surface. This is where the third pipe with the smallest diameter comes in handy. Air with appropriate pressure is fed through this column, causing the so-called "air lift" mechanism. One of the ways of obtaining sulfur is also a method called the Claus process. This method involves the oxidation of hydrogen sulfide to elemental sulfur and is divided into two main stages: the first - thermal, which involves introducing hydrogen sulfide and air into a boiler called a Claus boiler, which is heated to a temperature of 1000-1400°C. At this stage, a reaction occurs according to the equation: 〖6H〗_2 S+〖3O〗_2-> 〖4H〗_2 S+〖2SO〗_2+〖2H〗_2 O, in this reaction about 1/3 of hydrogen sulphide burns, the rest goes to the second stage - catalytic stage, in which unreacted hydrogen sulfide reacts with sulfur oxide (IV) at a temperature of about 300-350°C, forming sulfur according to the equation: 2H2S + SO2 = 3S+ 2H2O.

Sulfur is a key raw material for the production of sulfuric acid, widely used in the chemical and metallurgical industries. This element is also used in the production of sulfur fertilizers, which are necessary for plant growth and maintaining soil fertility. Sulfur is used in the vulcanization process of rubber, improving its strength and elasticity, and is also an ingredient of many plant protection preparations, e.g. those that combat fungal diseases.

The largest producer of sulfur in the world is the United States, and other important producers of this element are: Australia, Brazil, Canada and China. Poland also has its share in sulfur production (production is related to both the extraction and processing of raw materials).

Hydrogen sulfide is called "hell gas" because of its toxic and irritating odor, which resembles the smell of rotten eggs. In Greek mythology, sulfur was identified with the god of fire, as well as with the demon of hell, due to its flammable properties. Sulfur is used in flue gas desulfurization processes, especially in power plants, industrial plants and energy installations. The exhaust gases are passed through substances (containing sulfur) such as lime or gypsum, which helps reduce sulfur dioxide emissions, which is one of the main gases polluting the atmosphere.