Treating processes sulfur dioxide

Several other processes for producing alumina based on ores other than bauxite have been announced. One process uses alunite, a hydrous sulfate of aluminum and potassium. It is claimed to be capable of producing 99% pure alumina from alunite containing only 10 to 15% alumina, compared with bauxite that assays 50% alumina. The alunite is crushed, dehydroxy-lated by heating to 750°C, ground, and treated with aqueous ammonia. Filtration removes the alumina hydrate, and potassium and aluminum sulfates are recovered from the filtrate (to be used as fertilizer constituents). The alumina hydrate is treated with sulfur dioxide gas, and the resulting aluminum sulfate is converted to alumina by heating in a kiln. 

A number of methods are available for the synthesis of saccharin. For many years, the most popular process was one developed by the Maumee Chemical Company of Toledo, Ohio, in 1950. This method begins with anthranilic acid (oaminobenzoic acid C6H4(NH2)C00H), which is treated successively with nitrous acid (HN02), sulfur dioxide (S02), chlorine (Cl2), and ammonia (NH3) to obtain saccharin. Another process discovered in 1968 starts with o-toluene, which is then treated with sulfur dioxide and ammonia to obtain saccharin. 

Seaweeds. The eadiest successful manufacture of iodine started in 1817 using certain varieties of seaweeds. The seaweed was dried, burned, and the ash lixiviated to obtain iodine and potassium and sodium salts. The first process used was known as the kelp, or native, process. The name kelp, initially apphed to the ash of the seaweed, has been extended to include the seaweed itself. About 20 t of fresh seaweed was used to produce 5 t of air-dried product containing a mean of 0.38 wt % iodine in the form of iodides of alkah metals. The ash obtained after burning the dried seaweed contains about 1.5 wt % iodine. Chemical separation of the iodine was performed by lixiviation of the burned kelp, followed by soHd-Hquid separation and water evaporation. After separating sodium and potassium chloride, and sodium carbonate, the mother Hquor containing iodine as iodide was treated with sulfuric acid and manganese dioxide to oxidize the iodide to free iodine, which was sublimed and condensed in earthenware pipes (57). 

In a patented process, a stirred suspension of sodium sulfite is continuously treated with aqueous sodium hydroxide and a sulfur dioxide-containing gas at 60—85°C, and 96% pure anhydrous sodium sulfite is removed by filtration (336). In another continuous one-step process, substantially anhydrous sodium carbonate and sulfur dioxide are concurrently introduced into a saturated solution of sodium sulfite at pH 6.5—7.6 and above 35°C with continuous removal of sodium sulfite (337). 

Other factors which have a significant influence on process selection iaclude absolute quantity of sulfur present, concentration of various sulfur species, the quantity and concentration of other components ia the stream to be treated, quantity and conditions (temperature and pressure) of the stream to be treated, and, the location-specific environmental regulations governing overall sulfur recovery and allowable sulfur dioxide emissions (3). 

Calcium thiosulfate has been prepared from calcium sulfite and sulfur at 30—40°C, or from boiling lime and sulfur in the presence of sulfur dioxide until a colorless solution is obtained. Alternatively, a concentrated solution of sodium thiosulfate is treated with calcium chloride the crystalline sodium chloride is removed at low temperature. Concentrated solutions of calcium thiosulfate are prepared from ammonium thiosulfate and lime the Hberated ammonium ion is recycled to the ammonium thiosulfate process (85). 

The ancient process of stoving is stiU occasionally used to bleach wool and silk with sulfur dioxide. In this process, wet fabrics are hung in chambers of burning sulfur or sulfur dioxide gas for at least 8 h. The fabrics are then washed with sodium sulfite to remove excess sulfur dioxide. Fabric so treated may have unpleasant odors, and the original color eventually returns, but the process is simple and inexpensive. 

Sodium chromate can be converted to the dichromate by a continuous process treating with sulfuric acid, carbon dioxide, or a combination of these two (Fig. 2). Evaporation of the sodium dichromate Hquor causes the precipitation of sodium sulfate and/or sodium bicarbonate, and these compounds are removed before the final sodium dichromate crystallization. The recovered sodium sulfate may be used for other purposes, and the sodium bicarbonate can replace some of the soda ash used for the roasting operation (76). The dichromate mother Hquor may be returned to the evaporators, used to adjust the pH of the leach, or marketed, usually as 69% sodium dichromate solution. 

This process is used to treat gas streams containing high concentrations of H2S. The chemistry of the units involves partial oxidation of hydrogen sulfide to sulfur dioxide and the catalytically promoted reaction of hh.S and SO2 to produce elemental sulfur. The reactions are staged and arc. is lollows ... 

The simultaneous reaction of sulfur dioxide and chlorine with paraffins, named sulfochlorination, was discovered by Reed and Horn in the 1930s [9]. The primary products of this reaction are the alkanesulfochlorides [10], which can be saponified to alkanesulfonates by sodium hydroxide solution or treated with substituted phenolates to give plasticisers. In a short time the process was industrially realized to secure detergent production during World War II in Germany [11]. 

Hydrometallurgy has frequently been praised for not having any highly adverse impact on the environment. The problems associated with sulfur dioxide emission to the atmosphere from the roasters and the smelters of sulfidic sources have created much interest in treating these resources by hydrometallurgical methods. Moreover, the extreme amount of effort that has gone into the development of hydro-based processes for the sulfidic sources... 

Newer secondary recovery plants use lead paste desulfurization to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions and waste sludge generation during smelting. Battery paste containing lead sulfate and lead oxide is desulfurized with soda ash to produce market-grade sodium sulfate solution. The desulfurized paste is processed in a reverberatory furnace. The lead carbonate product may then be treated in a short rotary furnace. The battery grids and posts are processed separately in a rotary smelter. 

Common pollutants in a titanium dioxide plant include heavy metals, titanium dioxide, sulfur trioxide, sulfur dioxide, sodium sulfate, sulfuric acid, and unreacted iron. Most of the metals are removed by alkaline precipitation as metallic hydroxides, carbonates, and sulfides. The resulting solution is subjected to flotation, settling, filtration, and centrifugation to treat the wastewater to acceptable standards. In the sulfate process, the wastewater is sent to the treatment pond, where most of the heavy metals are precipitated. The precipitate is washed and filtered to produce pure gypsum crystals. All other streams of wastewater are treated in similar ponds with calcium sulfate before being neutralized with calcium carbonate in a reactor. The effluent from the reactor is sent to clarifiers and the solid in the underflow is filtered and concentrated. The clarifier overflow is mixed with other process wastewaters and is then neutralized before discharge. 

Scale formation in the scrubber can lead to sodium carbonate as an additional dry sorbent in the scrubber. Alternatively, limestone is also introduced into combustion chambers to treat sulfur dioxide emissions. Decomposition of CaC03 into CaO and CO2 occurs in the combustion chamber, and the resulting CaO combines with S02 to produce calcium sulfite. Notice that this process produced another potentially environmentally harmful pollutant (CO2) as it gets rid of a definite environmentally harmful pollutant (SO2). 

Dual Alkali A flue-gas desulfurization process. The sulfur dioxide is absorbed in aqueous sodium hydroxide and partially oxidized, and this liquor is then treated with calcium hydroxide to regenerate the scrubbing solution and precipitate calcium sulfate. Developed by Combustion Equipment Associates and Arthur D. Little. 

Molten Carbonate A flue-gas desulfurization process in which the sulfur dioxide contacts a molten mixture of inorganic carbonates. These are converted to sulfates and sulfides and then reduced to hydrogen sulfide, which is treated in a Claus kiln. The advantage of this process over most others is that it does not cool the flue-gases. Not commercialized. Oldenkamp, R. D. and Margolin, E. D., Chem. Eng. Prog, 1969, 65(11), 73. 

Sulfur dioxide removal processes can be used to treat flue gas from industrial boilers, heaters, or other process gases where sulfur compounds are oxidized. These processes have generally been proven in utility applications. More recently, several industrial SO2 removal installations have been completed. 

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