Process for the generation of sulfur trioxide reagent and sulfonation of the surface of polymeric resins

A process for treatment the surface of a polymeric resin material with a reagent of sulfur trioxide in a carrier and, then, regenerating said reagent, comprising the steps of:

• (a) introducing sulfur trioxide, a carrier selected from the group consisting of non-reactive liquid hydrocarbons and inert gases, and oleum into a reagent generator,
• (b) contacting said sulfur trioxide, said carrier and said oleum to form a reagent phase containing a reagent of sulfur trixoide in a carrier and an oleum phase containing impurities,
• (c) removing said reagent phase from said reagent generator,
• (d) feeding said reagent phase to a treatment chamber for a polymeric resin material,
• (e) contacting a surface of said polymeric resin material with said reagent and forming spent reagent,
• (f) recycling said spent reagent to said reagent generator,
• (g) removing said oleum phase from said reagent generator,
• (h) regenerating the oleum in said oleum phase to remove said impurities, and
• (i) recycling the regenerated oleum to said reagent generator.