Continuous process for non-catalytic oxidation of sulfite-containing waters
AssigneeTexaco Inc.
InventorDrew E. McCoy
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Abstract
Waste water streams containing sulfite and bisulfite ions but substantially no sulfide or thiosulfate ions are treated to convert sulfites to sulfates which can be discharged in receiving streams with no concomitant increase in Chemical or Biological Oxygen Demand. The process is a non-catalytic oxidation effected at 25 to 50 psi, 175.degree.-250.degree. F using from 50 to 350 percent excess of oxygen when utilizing air or any suitable oxygen containing gas basis stoichiometric conversion of sulfite to sulfate.
Claims10
In a continuous process for the liquid phase oxidation of water containing substantially only sulfite and/or bisulfite ions, the steps of:
- heating said water to a temperature of about 150.degree. to 250.degree. F;
- oxidizing the heated water under a pressure of around 25 to 50 psig at a liquid hourly space velocity of between 0.5 and 12.0 volumes of feed per reactor void volume with a non-catalytic, oxidizing medium containing from 100 to 350 percent excess oxygen basis stoichiometric conversion of sulfite and bisulfite ions to sulfate ions and recovering an effluent containing substantially no other anions than sulfate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.