| Abstract: | The interaction of a typical flue gas with active charcoal and bituminous coal char at temperatures between 600 and 800°C and atmospheric pressure has been studied. The SO2 in the flue gas interacts with the carbon to form primarily H2S, COS, and a carbon-sulfur surface complex. H2S and COS break through the carbon bed much in advance of SO2. At 800°C, sulfur retention on the bed exceeds at least 11% before SO2 breakthrough occurs. The reaction of H2S and COS with O2 over active charcoal at 100–140°C to produce sulfur, which deposits on the carbon, has also been studied and found to be feasible. As a result of this study, a new process is outlined for the removal of SO2 from flue gas, with the ultimate conversion |
