OXIDATION OF IRON(II) SULFATE WITH SULFUR DIOXIDE AND OXYGEN MIXTURES.

Abstract

The oxidation of iron(II) sulfate with SO//2/O//2 (sulfur dioxide and oxygen mixtures) was carried out using an air-lift percolator in the temperature range of 25-50 degree C and over the pH range of 0-3. Under conditions in which sulfur dioxide is immediately oxidized, the rate of the oxidation of iron(II) is proportional to the flow rate of sulfur dioxide and independent of the flow rate and partial pressure of oxygen, and the concentration of iron(II). The molar ratio of Fe**2** plus oxidized/SO//2 oxidized is 1. 3-2 in the pH range of 0. 5-2. 0. A free-radical chain reaction in which HSO//5** minus oxidizes iron(II) is proposed as the reaction mechanism.