Extraction of Sulphur - Frasch Process

Principle

Sulphur has a low melting point of about 112^oC - 115^oC

Process

Mining of Sulphur - Frasch Process

• A Frasch pump consisting of a set of three concentric pipes is sunk deep into the sulphur bed

• Super heated water at 170⁰C under pressure is pumped in through the outermost pipe

• Sulphur in the sulphur bed melts due to its contact with hot water

• Compressed air is pumped in through the inner most pipe

• Molten sulphur mixed with water oozes out under pressure through the middle pipe

• This molten sulphur is cooled and the water is allowed to evaporate

• This produces 99.5% pure sulphur.

Note:-

> Super heated water melts sulphur

>Compressed air forces molten sulpher out of the sulpher bed