STUDY AND MODELING OF CATALYTIC SULFUR-DIOXIDE OXIDATION IN VERLIFIX 3-PHASE REACTOR

Three phase catalytic oxidation of sulfur dioxide on activated carbon by oxygen is investigated using a fixed-bed topped by a Jet-Venturi (as gas-liquid contactor) and packed with crushed particles of activated carbon (3.15 to 4.00 mm) as catalyst operating at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. In the conditions where the gas and liquid are fed, at venturi level, cocurrently downward through the fixed bed, some hydrodynamic characteristics (flow regime and pressure drop) and overall mass transfer coefficient for SO2 are determined. Using these results and a kinetic law obtained in a slurry reactor containing fine particles of activated carbon (Kiared et al., 1990 and Kiared, 1992), plug flow with internal diffusion and total wetting efficiency model is used for interpreting the experimental data. With a mean value of De obtained (1.25 10(-10) m2/s), good agreement between model and experiments was obtained.