SO2 (sulfur oxides)

Sulfur oxides are emitted into the atmosphere from industrial sources by combustion plants powered by sulfur-containing fuels, and by many other activities in the manufacturing sector. Their harmful effects on man and the environment are well known: respiratory disorders, acidification of surface waters and soils, damage to architectural heritage.

Firstly, this article takes stock of the situation since the last publication on the subject in this treatise [J 3924] and the ADEME dossier. , on SO _x emissions and the relevant regulations, limiting himself here to European directives. It also succinctly describes the many existing abatement processes, referring the reader, for further information, to these two previous contributions.

The second aim of this article is to analyse and explain in detail, in the light of studies published in the literature and the principles of physical chemistry and process engineering, the effect of operating parameters on desulphurization techniques, focusing on wet processes and, in particular, the lime-lime-gypsum process, the most widely used in the world.