abstract |
A process for the oxidation of sulphur dioxide to sulfur trioxide in the presence of elemental nitrogen with minimal oxidation thereof which comprises combining the sulfur dioxide with a predetermined amount of oxygen containing gas to give at least 1% stoichiometric excess of oxygen for the oxidation of sulfur dioxide to sulfur trioxide and passing the resulting mixture over a ceramic catalyst of the following empirical formula at a temperature between about 120 DEG C and about 800 DEG ; WkXnJ(1-k-n)ZO(3+/-m) WHEREIN W is Zirconium, Tin or Thorium or mixtures thereof; X is an alkaline earth metal or mixture thereof; J is scandium, ytrrium, a rare-earth element or mixture thereof; Z is a metal of the first transition series or a mixture thereof, at least 0.01% of said metal having an oxidation state other than +3; K IS A NUMBER HAVING A VALUE BETWEEN 0 AND ABOUT 0. |