STUDY OF THE INFLUENCE OF THE QUALITY OF THE FEEDSTOCK ON THE PROCESS OF CATALYTIC OXIDATION OF SO2 TO SO3 IN A CONTACT APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF SULFURIC ACID

In the modern sulfuric acid industry, vanadium catalysts play an important role in the oxidation of sulfur dioxide (SO2) to sulfur trioxide (SO3). However, the efficiency of these catalysts can be significantly reduced by the presence of impurities such as calcium and iron. In this article, we will consider the effect of these impurities on the operation of the first layer of vanadium catalyst and try to identify the optimal conditions for ensuring stable operation of the process, starting from the feedstock and ending with the compounds formed as a result of combustion in furnaces. Special attention is paid to the requirements for the feedstock, because they can significantly affect first the heat transfer, and then the activity of the catalyst and its hydraulic resistance. It has been shown that factors such as the origin of sulfur, the method of its transportation and the combustion temperature can be the main sources of calcium impurities, while the temperature of the sulfur combustion process, corrosion products of metal parts of the furnace and boiler recycler are the main sources of iron impurities. In addition, attention should be paid to the influence of the physicochemical properties of the starting material on the process of formation of calcium and iron compounds. It is important to consider not only the composition of the raw material, but also the conditions of its extraction, transportation and storage, since this can significantly affect the quality of the final product and the efficiency of the production process. It should be noted that controlling and minimizing the level of calcium and iron impurities is important for ensuring the stability of sulfuric acid production and preventing possible technological failures. For this, it is necessary to develop effective methods for monitoring and regulating the content of these elements at different stages of production. Studies show that calcium and iron impurities can lead to the formation of precipitates on the catalyst surface, which complicates the accessibility of active reaction centers and reduces its activity. This negatively affects the conversion of SO2 to SO3 and, accordingly, the product yield. Understanding the mechanisms of action of these impurities will help optimize the composition of vanadium catalysts and develop methods to prevent possible negative consequences of their use.