Process for production of sodium thiosulfate and sodium hydroxide

In a process for the oxidation of sodium sulfide or sodium hydrosulfide, the steps consisting essentially of:

• (1) providing a gaseous oxidant, an aqueous reductant containing sodium sulfide or sodium hydrosulfide, and particulate activated carbon having a particle size of between 9 millimicrons and one inch and having a surface area of from 3 square meters per gram to in excess of 950 square meters per gram (BET), and which has been partially encapsulated with 0.1-100% by weight of carbon of a polytetrafluoroethylene resin, said oxidant and reductant being capable of forming an interface when brought into contact with each other, said partially encapsulfated carbon particles being relatively free from chemical attack by said oxidant, said reductant, and the reaction products, and (2) bringing said oxidant, reductant and paritally encapsulated carbon particles into contact with each other, thereby effecting the oxidation of sodium sulfide or sodium hydrosulfide to produce a sodium thiosulfate and sodium hydroxide containing solution.