CATALYTIC SO2 OXIDATION IN A PERIODICALLY OPERATED TRICKLE-BED REACTOR

Centaur(TM) carbon (Calgon Carbon Corp.) was used as a catalyst for SO 2 oxidation in a trickle bed under periodic interruption of its liquid flow for cycle periods from 15 to 60 min, cycle splits (split being t he proportion of a cycle in which liquid flows) from 0.0083 to 0.2, an d feed temperatures about 80 degrees C. SO2 removal in the trickle bed was improved at longer periods. At a fixed period of 15 min, a maximu m occurred with split. At high splits, platinized and unplatinized car bons performed indistinguishably. Results suggested kinetic rate contr ol at low splits and oxygen mass transport control at high splits.