Chlorination of sulfur dioxide in a plasma arc photochemical reactor: Part II. Chlorination of sulfur dioxide

Abstract

The photochemical chlorination of sulfur dioxide was investigated experimentally. The photochemical reactor was the vortex‐stabilized arc radiation source described in Part I. Aqueous inorganic solutions, providing selective wavelength filtration, were circulated through the inner annular region. The outer annulus served as the reaction volume. The dependence of the reaction on wavelength, reaction gas inlet temperature, pressure, and reactant flow rate was investigated. The amount of sulfur dioxide in the mixture was varied from 1/6 to 2/3 atmosphere. The photochemical rate of formation of sulfuryl chloride is best described by the rate expression: where J is the volumetric rate of light absorption and where k0 and E have values of 0.0542 s1/2 and −2.6 kcal/gmol, respectively.

The Interaction of Reactions and Transport Part II: Combined Reactors and Exchangers

“…This expedient in turn suggested to Quarderer and Kadlec (1974) the possibility of using the ultraviolet radiation emitted from a plasma to induce photochemical reactions in a stream passing through the annulus. The replacement of the stream of water in the annular jacket used to prevent overheating of the quartz tube with an ultraviolet-absorbing solution was eventually recognized to be a satisfactory resolution.…”