Solubility of sulfur dioxide in seawater

The solubility of sulfur dioxide is measured in the seawater of the Arabian Gulf, which is characterized by large seasonal variations in temperature a nd high salinity. A literature review shows that this is the first investig ation for measuring the SO2 solubility in the Gulf seawater. The measuremen ts are motivated by the need for the solubility data in the design and deve lopment of efficient seawater flue gas desulfurization systems. Solubility measurements are made as a function of the seawater temperature and salinit y. Water samples include distilled water, seawater mixtures of distilled wa ter and seawater, and brine blowdown from the multistage flash desalination plants in Kuwait. The SO2 solubility function has a second-order dependenc e on the system temperature and initial salinity. Results show an increase in the SO2 solubility and the reaction rate at higher initial salinity. Hig her solubility is measured at low temperatures. Good agreement is also obta ined between the measured data, literature measurements, and predictions of the solubility model.