Initial rate approach to the kinetics of heterogeneous catalytic reactions—an experimental investigation on the sulfur dioxide oxidation reaction

Abstract

The rate controlling steps for a typical heterogeneous catalytic reaction have been established through an application of the initial rate approach. Experimental initial rate data were obtained for the catalytic oxidation of sulfur dioxide at varying conditions of temperature and total pressure. For 649 and 701°F, the rate controlling step was found to be the surface reaction between chemisorbed sulfur dioxide and molecular oxygen in the gas phase. At 752°F, the rate controlling step was found to shift to the desorption of chemisorbed sulfur trioxide.