Mechanisms for the removal of sulfur dioxide from the atmosphere

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dc.contributor.advisorWorley, Frank L., Jr.
dc.contributor.committeeMemberHowell, John Reid
dc.contributor.committeeMemberRichardson, James T.
dc.creatorMaltsberger, George William, Jr.
dc.date.accessioned2022-11-10T16:24:44Z
dc.date.available2022-11-10T16:24:44Z
dc.date.issued1976
dc.description.abstractThe removal of sulfur dioxide from the atmosphere by photochemical oxidation and by absorption into rain or fog droplets with possible subsequent catalytic oxidation in solution has been simulated. Photochemical oxidation of sulfur dioxide is represented by a first order reaction mechanism with a maximum rate constant of 10 percent per hour. Absorption of sulfur dioxide into rain or fog droplets is characterized using conventional mass-transfer mechanisms which account for the reversibility of the absorption and for the liquid phase mass-transfer resistance. Catalytic oxidation is represented by a mechanism relating oxidation rate to sulfur dioxide and metal oxide concentration in solution. The initial sulfur dioxide distribution in the atmosphere was determined using the binomial continuous plume equation and Holland’s equation for plume rise. Simulation of these mechanisms was made by use of a digital computer. Results of the simulation show that absorption of sulfur dioxide into rain droplets is a more efficient sulfur dioxide removal process than is photochemical oxidation at all rainfall rates and raindrop sizes studied. Absorption of sulfur dioxide into liquid fog droplets was found to be an ineffective sulfur dioxide removal process due to the small mass of liquid water present in fogs. Oxidation of sulfur dioxide in solution in the presence of metal oxide catalysts is found to increase the overall removal of sulfur dioxide from the atmosphere and to be a reasonable mechanism to explain the production of sulfates in precipitation. It is proposed that the reported reduction in the rate of catalytic oxidation in solution with time is due to the reduction in aqueous sulfur dioxide solubility caused by the sulfates produced in the catalytic oxidation reaction lowering the pH of the solution.
dc.description.departmentChemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Department of
dc.format.digitalOriginreformatted digital
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.identifier.other2726679
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10657/12555
dc.language.isoen
dc.rightsThis item is protected by copyright but is made available here under a claim of fair use (17 U.S.C. Section 107) for non-profit research and educational purposes. Users of this work assume the responsibility for determining copyright status prior to reusing, publishing, or reproducing this item for purposes other than what is allowed by fair use or other copyright exemptions. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires express permission of the copyright holder.
dc.titleMechanisms for the removal of sulfur dioxide from the atmosphere
dc.type.dcmiText
dc.type.genreThesis
thesis.degree.collegeCullen College of Engineering
thesis.degree.departmentChemical Engineering, Department of
thesis.degree.disciplineChemical Engineering
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Houston
thesis.degree.levelMasters
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Science

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