Method for the continuous reduction of sulphur dioxide-containing gases using coal or carbon

A method for the continuous reduction of sulphur dioxide-containing gases essentially free of molecular oxygen using coal or carbon which comprises:

• providing a coal-filled or carbon-filled reactor divided into four temperature zones;
• maintaining the temperature of a first zone in a range of 150.degree. to 200.degree. C.;
• maintaining the temperature of a second zone in a range of 300.degree. to 400.degree. C.;
• maintaining the temperature of a third zone in a range of 550.degree. to 700.degree. C.;
• maintaining the temperature of a fourth zone in a range of 900.degree. to 1100.degree. C.;
• and
• reducing said sulphur dioxide in said gases to sulphur by introducing said gases into said reactor and passing said gases sequentially through said first, second, third and fourth zones so that said gases are heated to a final temperature of 900.degree. to 1100.degree. C. in the fourth zone and so that said sulphur dioxide in said gases is reduced to sulphur in each said temperature zone.

A method for the continuous reduction of sulphur dioxide-containing gases essentially free of molecular oxygen using coal or carbon which comprises:

• providing a coal-filled or carbon-filled reactor divided into four temperature zones;
• maintaining the temperature of a first zone in a range of 150.degree. to 200.degree. C.;
• maintaining a second zone in said reactor at a temperature in a range of 330.degree. to 370.degree. C.;
• maintaining a third zone in said reactor at a temperature in a range of 620.degree. to 680.degree. C.;
• maintaining a fourth zone in said reactor at a temperature in a range of 950.degree. to 1050.degree. C.;
• reducing said sulphur dioxide in said gases to sulphur by introducing said gases into said reactor and passing said gases sequentially through said first, second, third and fourth zones so that said gases are heated to a final temperature of 950.degree. to 1050.degree. C. and so that said sulphur dioxide in said gases is reduced to sulphur in each said temperature zone.