SO2 Emission Reduction through the use of the “Humid Oxidation Process”

Abstract

BAYER A.G. in Germany developed the “HUMID OXIDATION PROCESS” to reduce SO2 emissions which was first implanted industrially in their factory at Uerdingen in 1981. From that time the plant has operated successfully complying to German environmental law requirements. The unit to be installed in TIBRÁS consists of six reactors supplied with activated carbon beds which will remove the SO2 (0.11 volume percent) contained in the residual gases (150,000 cubic meters per hour) produced in three rotary calciner kilns. The SO2 reacts with water in the carbon pores forming diluted sulfuric acid. The activated carbon is fabricated from coke from peat. The “Weak Acid” of approximately 10 to 15 per-cent H2SO4 concentration is reused in the titanium dioxide pigment process. The project will be concluded by December 1993 and will start up in January 1994. The realization of this investment of approximately US$8,500,000 (eight and one half million dollars) will reduce TIBRÁS SO2 emissions by 50 (fifty) to 85 (eighty-five) per-cent in addition to eliminating two stacks.