CATALYTIC FUSED SALT EXTRACTION PROCESS FOR REMOVAL OF SULFUR OXIDES FROM FLUE OR OTHER GASES

摘要

A continuous catalytic fused salt extraction process is described for removing sulfur oxides from gaseous streams. The gaseous stream is contacted with a molten liquid potassium sulfate salt mixture at a temperature below 500 DEG C. having dissolved V2O5 to catalytically oxidize sulfur dioxide to sulfur trioxide and molten potassium normal sulfate to solvate the sulfur trioxide to remove the sulfur trioxide from the gaseous stream. A portion of the sulfur trioxide loaded salt mixture is then placed in an electrolytic cell and with an electrical potential applied between an anode and a cathode to fume the SO3 solute and form a high purity offgas of SO3 and regenerate the molten potassium normal sulfate. The evolved SO3 may be used directly to yield a variety of useful sulfur by-products including liquid sulfur trioxide, sulfuric acids and oleums of any concentrations, liquid sulfur dioxide and elemental sulfur.