Heat exchange techniques for the catalytic oxidation of gaseous sulfur compounds to sulfur trioxide

摘要

In a process for the catalytic oxidation of gaseous sulfur compounds to sulfur trioxide comprising passing said gaseous sulfur compounds through a plurality of serially connected catalytic stages at 400 DEG -580 DEG C., the improvement which comprises circulating a liquid heat exchange medium in indirect heat exchange relationship to the reaction gases in the catalytic stages and with a heat consumer and optionally a heat source at a rate and amount such that the liquid heat exchange medium absorbs substantially all the exothermic reaction heat and fluctuates no more than 5 centrigrade degrees, thereby controlling the temperature of said catalytic stages.