RUTHENIUM OXIDE BASED CATALYST FOR CONVERTING SULPHUR DIOXIDE TO SULPHUR TRIOXIDE Russian patent published in 2011 - IPC C01B17/78 

FIELD: chemistry.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to chemistry. An initial gas mixture containing sulphur dioxide and oxygen is brought into contact with an oxidation catalyst which contains a ruthenium oxide based active phase at gas temperature not higher than approximately 400°C. Converted gas containing sulphur trioxide is then obtained. In order to obtain sulphuric acid and/or oleum, the initial gas is mixed with an oxygen-containing gas and the gas mixture is fed into a catalytic converter having several successive catalytic stages. The partially converted gas formed, which contains sulphur trioxide and residual sulphur dioxide and oxygen, is passed through at least one subsequent catalytic stage with the oxidation catalyst which contains an active phase which contains ruthenium oxide to form converted gas which contains sulphur trioxide and residual sulphur dioxide. Said converted gas is brought into contact with an aqueous solution which contains sulphuric acid in order to absorb sulphur trioxide in a sulphur trioxide absorption zone so as to obtain an extra amount of sulphuric acid and/or oleum and a sulphur trioxide depleted gas which contains sulphur dioxide.

EFFECT: invention increases efficiency of processes by lowering temperature for oxidation of sulphur dioxide into sulphur trioxide.

44 cl, 12 dwg, 9 tbl, 19 ex