United States Patent (19) 11 4,029,751.

Dörr et al. (45) June 14, 1977

54 PROCESS FOR PRODUCING SULFURC 56) References Cited

ACD UNITED STATES PATENTS
2,357,195 8/1944 Herrmann ......................... 423/531
(75) Inventors: Karl-Heinz Dörr, Mainz; Hugo 2,471,072 5/1949 Merrian ............................. 4231522
Grimm, Frankfurt am Main; 2,629,65i 2/1953 Merrian et al. .................... 4231533
Waldemar Weber; Michael Tacke, 3,294,487 12/1966 Pauling .............................. 423/522
both of Offenbach; Georg Schmidt, 3,780,499 12/1973 Dorr et al. ......................... 4231532
Frankfurt-Nied, all of Germany 3,788,043 1/1974 Dorr et al. ......................... 423/522
3,944,401 3/1976 Dorr et al. . ... 423/522
3,950,493 4/1976 Dorr et al. ............................. 55773
73 Assignee: Metallgesellschaft Aktiengesellschaft, FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS
Frankfurt am Main, Germany 1,288,835 9/1972 United Kingdom ............... 423/522
22) Filed: Dec. 29, 1975 Primary Examiner-O. R. Vertiz
Assistant Examiner-Cary P. Straub
Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Burgess, Dinklage & Sprung
(21) Appl. No.: 645,125 57) . ABSTRACT
30 Foreign Application Priority Data Sulfuric acid is produced from sulfur trioxide-contain
ing humid gases by a process wherein the sulfur triox
May 5, 1975 Germany .......................... 25 19928 ide-containing humid gases are directly cooled with
aqueous sulfuric acid, sulfuric acid is condensed and
(52) U.S. C. ................................... 423/522; 55/73; the gas is cooled below dew point of the sulfuric acid,
4231531 and the water not required to form sulfuric acid is
(51) Int. Cl.’................... C01B 17/76; B01D 53/00 discharged as water vapor with the end gases.
58) Field of Search ................... 4231522,531-538; 8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures
55/73
U.S. Patent June 14, 1977 Sheet 1 of 4 4,029,75 1
U.S. Patent June 14, 1977 Sheet 2 of 4 4,029,751

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U.S. Patent June 14, 1977 Sheet 3 of 4 4,029,751

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U.S. Patent June 14, 1977 Sheet 4 of 4 4,029,751
 4,029,751 2
1.
during the cooling and condensing steps must be dissi-.
PROCESS FOR PRODUCING SULFURIC ACID pated by an indirect cooling of the acid.
British Patent 692,109 describes a common cooling
BACKGROUND and condensing stage, in which the hot gas is quenched
in an ejector to a temperature of about 60°C by a
This invention relates to a process of producing sulfu 5 contact
ric acid from SO-containing humid gases, in which the resultingwith cold sulfuric acid at about 20 C. The
sulfuric acid mists must be precipitated in an
SOs-containing humid gases are directly cooled with electrostatic precipitator,
aqueous sulfuric acid, sulfuric acid is condensed in the the acid must be dissipatedthebyentire an
heat supplied to
indirect cooling at
gases cooled below the dew point of the sulfuric acid, 10 high expense, and highly concentrated acid cannnot
and the water not required to form sulfuric acid is produced if the gas has a high water vapor content.be
discharged as water vapor with the end gases. It is known from Opened German Specification
In the so-called dry catalytic process, the SO, content 1,792,577 to convert the SO, content in the exhaust
of dry gases is catalytically reacted to SO, which is gases from steam boiler plants to SO3 by a catalytic
then absorbed in sulfuric acid. In the so-called wet 15 reaction, then to cool the SO-containing gas to tem
catalytic process, the SO, and HS contents of moist peratures of 200-140°C
gases are catalytically reacted to form SO. Because the and to collect the resultingbysulfuric an indirect heat exchange,
acid mists in a Cot
absorption of the SO content in sulfuric acid is ren trell collector at the same temperature. The practice
dered difficult due to the formation of sulfuric acid
involves a high risk of a formation of condensate
mists, generally the sulfuric acid which is formed from 20 the cooling in the indirect heat exchangers and difficul during
the SOs and water vapor is condensed out. SO-con ties regarding the collection of the mists.
taining humid gases are formed, e.g., as a result of the It is known from Printed German Application
combustion of water vapors which contain HS, or of 1,467,157
the after-burning of HS- and SO-containing exhaust 245 C in afirst to cool the gases from about 275°C to
concentrating unit, in which the gases are
gases from the Claus process, or of metallurgical pro 25 contacted with counter-flowing
cesses. In the contact-process plant, the HS- and SO which trickles at a low rate and is at80% about
sulfuric acid
160 C, and
containing gases having an oxygen content which is then to cool in a second stage the gases with counter
sufficient for the oxidation to SO are reacted at suit flowing sulfuric acid which has a concentration of
able temperatures in contact with V.O. catalysts and about 80% and trickles at a high rate and cools the
the sulfuric acid is subsequently condensed out in a
condensing plant. Surplus water vapor is discharged in 30 gases
acid
sufficiently for a conndensation of the sulfuric
out of the gases. The first stage results in an acid of
the exhaust gas. Other processes may also result in 94% which
SOa-containing humid gases from which sulfuric acid acid must beisrecycled at 250 C. In this process, hot sulfuric
by pumps and the gases must be
must also be condensed out. indirectly cooled at high expense before they enter.
It is known from German Patent 607,216 to cool in a 35
first stage to 280-300°C the SO-containing humid gas SUMMARY
which leaves the contact process plant and then to This invention avoids the disadvantages of the known
condense out in a second stage the sulfuric acid by a processes and particularly enables a removal of the SOs
cooling of the gas to about 150° C. The cooling in the
first stage may be accomplished by an indirect cooling 40 content to a high degree and at minimum operating
expenses and structural expenditure even where gases
with air or by a spraying of water. The condensing stage having a very low SO content and gases having a high
consists of packed condensation columns. The cooling water vapor
resulting in the condensation must be slow and must be more highlycontent are involved, and a formation of a
performed in a time of not less than 0.5 second. The 70-95% by weight HSO. acid which contains, e.g.,
concentrated
condensation columns must be correspondingly large. 45 This is accomplished according to the invention in
German Patent 641,258 describes a process in which
cooling and condensation are performed in a common that sulfuric acid of 70-95% by weight is added to
cocurrently flowing, SO-containing humid gases so
stage. In a trickling tower, the gases are contacted with that the latter
water or dilute sulfuric acid trickling in a countercur major part of thearesulfuric directly cooled to 120-230 C, a
acid is collected in a sump, a
rent and are thus cooled from 300' 400 C. to 100 C. 50
partial stream of the
Sulfuric acid mists are thus formed at high rates and cooled and then recycled to the collected sulfuric acid is indirectly
must be collected from the gases in a succeeding elec the other part of the sulfuric acidSO-containingis discharged as
gases,
prod
trical gas purifier. uct acid, cold air is admixed to the cooled gases, the
U.S. Pat. No. 2,199,691 describes also the cooling gas-air mixture is subsequently treated with dilute sul
and condensation in a common stage, in which the 55 furic acid of 5-70% by weight, the dilute sulfuric acid is
gases are contacted with sulfuric acid trickling in a collected and further diluted by an addition of water, a
countercurrent. The gases are thus cooled from about partial stream of the further diluted sulfuric acid is
315 C to and below 10 C. The sulfuric acid is with
drawn from the trickling tower at 170-230 C and is 60 recycled
diluted
to the gas-air mixture, the other part of further
sulfuric acid is added to the recycled acid of
mixed with cooled sulfuric acid, which is at a tempera 70-95% by weight,
ture below 110°C, to produce mixed acids which are at added are controlledthesorates that
at which air and water are
the exhaust gas which has
a temperature below 130° C. The mixed acids are been treated with the dilute sulfuric acid has a tempera
cooled below 110°C in a cooler, one partial stream of ture which is harmless for the succeeding units, the
said cooled acid is fed to the mixing step and another 65 treatment with the dilute sulfuric acid results in an
partial stream to the top of the trickling tower. This evaporation of water substantially at the rate at which
process has the disadvantages that the gases must be it is added, and the acid mists are collected from the
indirectly cooled at high expense before entering the exhaust gas in a mist collector.
condenser and that the entire heat supplied to the acid

H
 3
4,029,751 4
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS with dilute sulfuric acid of 5-40% by weight and col
lected dilute sulfuric acid from the second-stage cycle
The present invention will be more fully understood is fed into the first-stage cycle. For this reason, the acid
from the following description taken in conjunction of 70-95% by weight can be used for cooling to a lower
with the accompanying drawing wherein: temperature so that the condensation and formation of
FIG. 1 is a schematic flow diagram for carrying out sulfuric acid are promoted.
the process of the invention in accordance with Exam According to a preferred feature, acid collected as a
ple 1 herein; result of the collection of mist is entered into the last
FIG. 2 is a schematic flow diagram of an alternate stage cycle of the dilute sulfuric acid. In this way, the
embodiment for carrying out the process of the inven 10 water content of this acid is utilized for the evaporative
tion in accordance with Example 2 herein; cooling.
FIG. 3 is a schematic flow diagram of an alternate According to a preferred feature, a Venturi tube is
embodiment for carrying out the process of the inven used for the direct cooling of the SO3-containing gases
tion in accordance with Example 3 herein; and with sulfuric acid of 70-95% by weight. The cooling in
FIG. 4 is a schematic flow diagram of an alternate 15 a Venturi tube can be carried out in equipment of small
embodiment for carrying out the process of the inven size and with relatively low operating expenses.
tion in accordance with Example 4 herein. According to a preferred feature, air is admixed in a
DESCRIPTION transfer conduit, which constitutes a spray collector
and connects the means for the direct cooling sulfuric
The SOs content of the humid gases may be very low, 20 acid of 70-95% by weight to the means for the treat
e.g., about 0.3%, but it may also have any desired ment with the dilute sulfuric acid. In this case, a thor
higher value, e.g., 8%. ough mixing is accomplished with a low expenditure
The sulfuric acid of 70-95% by weight be cocurrently and there will no problems relating to a condensation
injected or sprayed into the SO-containing gases, during the admixing.
which become available at a temperature of about 25 According to a preferred feature, the treatment with
330-450° C. The treatment may be performed in a the dilute sulfuric acid is a counterflow operation. This
Venturi tube, a packed tower, a tower having a rela results in a thorough mixing and in a condensation and
tively thin packed bed, or an empty tower. As a result formation of the remaining acid in the gas mixture at a
of the direct uniflow cooling to 120°-130 C, most of high rate.
the sulfuric acid formed by the SO, and water vapor is 30 According to a preferred feature, the recycled partial
condensed out and together with a major part of the stream of the collected dilute sulfuric acid is conducted
added sulfuric acid enters the sump. The acid from the at least in part through an indirect cooler. In this way,
sump is suitably fed through a receiver and an indirect the temperature can be lowered at a relatively low
acid cooler. Part of the cooled acid is branched off as expenditure if air is to be admixed at a lower rate.
product acid, and the remainder is returned to the 35 According to a preferred feature, the exhaust gas
receiver. This will reduce the temperature of the acid in resulting from the treatment with the dilute sulfuric
the receiver so that the pump and the cooler are oper acid is at a temperature of 70-85°C. This temperature
ated under less severe conditions. The acid flows from is particularly desirable because it enables an operation
the receiver into an intermediate container, in which of the succeeding units under severe conditions and
the acid is mixed with the branched off part of dilute 40 reduces the cooling expenditure.
acid. The mixture is then recycled by a pump. The rate The invention will be explained more fully and by
at which product acid is withdrawn is equal to the rate way of example with reference to the Examples and
at which new sulfuric acid is formed. The concentra drawings.
tion of the added sulfuric acid in the range of 70-95%
by weight and the cooling of the gases in the range of 45 EXAMPLE 1 (FIG. 1)
120-230 C are so adjusted that a sulfuric acid having At a rate of 10,000 standard m/h, SO- and HS-con
the desired concentration becomes available in the taining containing humid gases which are at a tempera
sump. To this end, water is condensed only at the rate ture of 450° C are fed through conduit 1 into a contact
which is required for the formation of sulfuric acid process vessel 2. The gases are composed of:
having the desired concentration. 50
The air which is injected increases the gas volume so 0.55% by volume SO, (55 standard m/h)
that water at a higher rate can enter as water vapor into 0.65% by volume HS (65 standard m/h)
the gas-air mixture. As a result, the hot gas-air mixture 4.10% by volume CO, (410 standard m/h)
can be cooled further by evaporative cooling. The rate 4.50% by volume O (450 standard m/h)
at which air is added, the concentration of the recycled 55 58.40% by volume N (5840 standard m/h)
dilute acid, and the rate at which water is added to the 31.80% by volume HO (3180 standard m/h).
dilute acid are selected so that the evaporation of the
water results in the desired temperature of the exhaust In two contacting trays 3 and 3a, the gases are con
gas and the added water is substantially evaporated at tacted with vanadium catalysts so that the HS content
this temperature. 60 is burnt to SO and all SO is reacted to SOs. Between
The condensation and formation of the sulfuric acid the contacting trays 3 and 3a, the reaction gas is cooled
from the gas result mainly from the cooling with the with air supplied at a rate of 2620 standard m/h. The
acid of 70-95% by weight. Additionally a little amount air is sucked through an air filter 4 and by a blower 5 is
of sulfuric acid is formed as a result of the treatment blown through conduit 5a into a mixture 6 to enter the
with the dilute sulfuric acid. 65 contact-process vessel 2 at a temperature of about 30
According to a preferred feature, the gas-air mixture C. S0-containing gases at a temperature of about 405
is treated in a first stage with dilute sulfuric acid of C are fed at a rate of 12620 standard m/h through
40-70% by weight and is then treated in a second stage conduit 7 into a Venturi tube 8, in which the gas is
 5.
4,029,751 6
directly cooled and most of the SOs contained in the then fed through conduit 3d to the contacting tray 3a.
gas is simultaneously condensed to HSO4. HSO, hav Between the contacting trays 3a and 3b, the gases are
ing a concentration of 85% by weight and a tempera cooled with air, which flows at a rate of 800 standard
ture of about 85°Cisfed by a pump 17 through conduit m/h through an air filter 4 and is delivered by a blower
14 and injected at a rate of 12 m/h through nozzle 9 to 5 through a conduit 5a into a mixer 6 to enter the
flow cocurrently with the gases. A packed bed 10 pro contact-process vessel 2 at a temperature of about 30
motes the cooling and condensation. A major part of C.
the injected sulfuric acid is collected in sump 11. The At about 405 C, the SO-containing gases are fed
gas is discharged at 190 C from the Venturi tube 8 through conduit 7 into a cooling and condensing plant
through a gas conduit 12, which is designed as a spray O 8, 26, in which SO is processed to form 85% sulfuric
collector and contains baffles 15. A fan 40 delivers air acid as described in Example 1.
at a temperature of about 30°C through conduit 41 and EXAMPLE 3 (FIG. 3)
fitting 13 at a rate of about 2500 standard m/h into a
gas conduit 12, in which said air is admixed to the main SO-containing humid gases at about 400°C are fed
gas stream so that the gases are cooled to about 140°C. 15 at a rate of 10,000 standard m/h through conduit 7
The remaining SOs contained in the gas is condensed in into a cooling and condensing plant 8, 26. The gases
a trickling tower 26, which contains a packed bed 27. are composed of:
HSO, of 40% by weight is delivered by a pump 32 at a
rate of 12 m/h through conduit 31 and injected into 1.73% by volume SO, (173 standard m/h)
the tower 26 through nozzle 28. The acid is collected in 20 0.12% by volume SO, (12 standard m/h)
a tower sump 26a. The gas is cooled to 75°C by an 3.86% by volume CO, (386 standard m/h)
evaporation of H.O. The HO required for cooling is 11.23% by volume O, (1123 standard m/h)
fed into the acid cycle through conduit 42. The gas-air 61.36% by volume N, (6136 standard m/h)
mixture which is laden with the surplus HO vapor and 21.70% by volume HO (2170 standard m/h).
with acid mists leaves the cooling and condensing 25 In the cooling and condensing plant 8, 26, the SOa is
means 8, 26 through an acid spray collector 29 and a processed to form 85% sulfuric acid as described in
conduit 30. Sulfuric acid mist is collected in a mist Example 1.
collector 36, which is provided with filter candles 37. EXAMPLE 4 (FIG. 4)
The exhaust gases from which most of the SOs and
sulfuric acid mists have been removed leave the plant 30 A combustion furnace 1c is fed with 435 kg/h liquid
through conduit 38. The liquid retained in the filter sulfur through conduit 1a and with 463 kg/h HS
chandles 37 is collected in a sump 36a and is fed through conduit 1b. These reactants are burnt with
through conduit 39 into a receiver 33 in the dilute acid about 7175 standard m/h air, which is admixed
cycle associated with the trickling tower 26. At about through conduit 5a. The combustion gases flow
180° C the strong acid, which as a concentration of 35 through conduit 1d into a waste-heatboiler 1e, in which
85% by weight HSO, leaves a Venturi tube sump 11 they are cooled to about 600 C. The gases leave the
through conduit 19 and enters a receiver 20. About 50 waste-heat boiler through conduit 1g. 2225 standard
m/h acid are delivered by a pump 22 to a cooler 23 ture m/h air are admixed through 1f to reduce the tempera
and are cooled therein from about 85 C to 60° C. to 450 C.
About 49,5 m/h acid are returned through conduit 24 40 At a rate of about 10,000 standard m/h, SO-con
to the receiver 20. Produce acid having a concentration taining humid gases are fed through conduit 1 into a
of 85% by weight HSO and a temperature of 60°C is contact-process vessel 2. The gases are composed of:
discharged at a rate of about 0.5 m/h. The acid cooled
to about 85°C is drained through conduit 21 to a mix 6.0% by volume SO, (600 standard m/h)
ing receiver 16, which is fed with dilute acid through 45 12.08% by volume O, (1208 standard m/h)
conduit 35. 75.82% by volume N, (7582 standard m/h)
EXAMPLE 2 (FIG. 2) 6.11% by volume HO (611 standard m/h).
At a rate of 10,000 standard m/h, SO- and HS-con In contacting trays 3,3a, 3b and 3c, the gases are con
taining containing humid gases at about 360°C are fed 50 tacted with vanadium catalysts so that the SO, is re
through conduit 1a to a heat exchanger 1b and are acted to SOs. Between the contacting trays, the reac
preheated therein to 450° C and then fed through con tion gases are cooled with atmospheric air, which is
duit 1 into a contact-process vessel 2. These gases are blown in at a temperature of 30°C. Air is fed at a total
composed of: rate of 6700 standard m/h through mixers 6, 6a and
55 6b. The air (inclusive of the combustion and diluting
0.30% by volume SO, (30 standard m/h). . air) is sucked by a blower through an air filter 4.
0.75% by volume HS (75 standard m/h) At a rate of 16,400 standard m/h, SO-containing
0.15% by volume COS (15 standard m/h) gases at about 410C are fed through conduit 7 into a
3.95% by volume CO, (395 standard m/h) Venturi tube 8 and are directly cooled therein. At the
4.6% by volume O, (460 standard m/h) 60 same time, most of the SOs contained in the gas is
58.55% by volume N, (5855 standard m/h) condensed to HSO. About 55 m/h HSO, having a
31.70% by volume HO (3170 standard m/h). concentration of 95% by weight and a temperature of
about 75°C are delivered by pump 17 through conduit
In three contacting trays 3, 3a, 3b, the gases are con 14 and are injected through nozzle 9 to flow cocur
tacted with vanadium catalysts so that the HS content 65 rently with the gases. A packed bed 10 serves to im
is burnt to SO, and all SO, is reacted to SOs. The prere prove the condensation. Most of the injected sulfuric
acted gases are fed through conduit 3c into a heat ex acid is collected in a sump 11. At a temperature of
changer 1b and are cooled therein to about 440C and about 170 C, the gas is discharged from the Venturi
 7
4,029,751 8
tube 8 through gas conduit 12, which consists of a spray ous sulfuric acid, sulfuric acid is condensed in the gases
collector and contains baffles 15. The strong acid hav cooled below the dew point of the sulfuric acid, and the
ing a concentration of 95% by weight HSO and a water not required to form sulfuric acid is discharged as
temperature of about 170° C leaves a Venturi tube water vapor with the end gases, the improvement which
sump 11 through conduit 19 and is fed into a receiver comprises
20. A pump 22 delivers about 200 m/h acid through a i. adding sulfuric acid of 70-95% by weight to cocur
cooler 23, in which the acid is cooled from about 75 C. rently flowing, SO-containing humid gases so that
About 198.4 m/h acid are returned through conduit 24 the latter are directly cooled to 120-230 C;
into the receiver 20. About 1.6 m/h product acid hav ii. collecting a major part of the sulfuric acid in a
ing a concentration of about 95% by weight HSO and 10 sump;
a temperature of 50° C are discharged. The acid ad iii. indirectly cooling a partial stream of the collected
justed to about 75°C drains through conduit 21 into a sulfuric acid and then recycling to the SO-contain
mixing receiver 16, which is fed through conduit 35 ing gases;
with about 0.47 m/h dilute acid having a concentration iv. discharging the other part of the sulfuric acid as
of 70% by weight HSO. At a rate of about 1750 stan 15 product acid;
dard m/h, air is about 30°C is handled by a fan 40 and v. admixing cold air to the cooled gases, subsequently
flows through conduit 41 and fitting 13 into the gas treating the gas-air mixture with dilute sulfuric acid
conduit 12 and is admixed therein to the main gas of 5-70% by weight and collecting and diluting
stream so that the gases are cooled to about 155° C. further the dilute sulfuric acid by an addition of
The remaining SO contained in the gas is condensed in 20 water;
a two-stage trickling tower 26, which contains packed vi. recycling a partial stream of the further diluted
beds 27 and 27a. For this purpose, 25 m/h HSO, of sulfuric acid to the gas-air mixture while adding the
70% by weight are handled by a pump 32 to flow other part of further diluted sulfuric acid to the
through conduit 31 and nozzle 28 and are distributed recycled acid of 70-95% by weight;
over the packed bed 27. The acid is collected in the 25 vii. controlling the rates at which air and water are
sump 26a of the tower and drains through conduit 34 added so that the exhaust gas which has been
into a receiver 33. At the outlet from the first stage of treated with the dilute sulfuric acid has a tempera
the trickling tower 26, the gases are cooled to about 95 ture which is harmless for the succeeding mist col
C by an evaporation of water. lecting units, the treatment with the dilute sulfuric
The gas-air mixture leaves the first stage of the trick 30 acid resulting in an evaporation of water substan
ling tower 26 through a gas fitting 26b and enters the tially at the rate at which it is added; and
second stage. About 25 m/h HSO, of 20% by weight viii. collecting the acid mists from the exhaust gas in
are handled by a pump 32a to flow through conduit 31a a mist collector.
and nozzle 28a and are distributed over the packed bed 2. Process of claim 1 wherein the gas-air mixture is
27a. The acid is collected in the tower sump 26c and is 35 treated in a first stage with dilute sulfuric acid of
drained through conduit 34a into a receiver 33a. At the 40-70% by weight and is then treated in a second stage
outlet of the second stage of the trickling tower 26, the with dilute sulfuric acid of 5-40% by weight and col
gas is cooled to 45°C also by an evaporation of water. lected dilute sulfuric acid from the second-stage cycle
The gas-air mixture laden with the surplus HO vapor is fed into the first-stage cycle.
and the acid mists leaves the cooling and condensing 40 3. Process of claim 1 wherein acid collected as a
unit 8, 26 through a spray collector 29 and a conduit result of the collection of mist is fed to the last-stage
30. The mists formed during the cooling are collected cycle of the dilute sulfuric acid therein using the water
in a mist collector 36, which is provided with filter content of this acid for the evaporative cooling.
candles 37. The exhaust gases from which most of the
SO and the sulfuric acid mists have been removed 45 4. Process of claim 1 wherein a Venturi tube is used
leave the plant through conduit 38. The liquid retained for the direct cooling of the SO-containing gases with
in the filter candles 37 is collected in a sump 36a and is sulfuric acid of 70-95% by weight.
fed through conduit 39 into a receiver 33 included in 5. Process of claim 1 wherein air is admixed in a
the dilute-acid cycle associated with the trickling tower transfer conduit, which constitutes a spray collector
26. 50 and connects the means for the direct cooling with
The advantages afforded by the invention resides sulfuric acid of 70-95% by weight to the means for the
mainly in that the condensation can be effected in a treatment with the dilute sulfuric acid.
simple manner by a direct heat exchange with dilute 6. Process of claim 1 wherein the treatment with the
sulfuric acid, a sulfuric acid having a relatively high dilute sulfuric acid is a counterflow step.
concentration is produced and the formation of mists is 7. Process of claim 1 wherein the recycled partial
55
minimized. All intermediate produces which become stream of the collected dilute sulfuric acid is conducted
available can be returned into the system. at least in part through an indirect cooler.
What is claimed is: 8. Process of claim 1 wherein the exhaust gas result
1. In the contact process for producing sulfuric acid ing from the treatment with the dilute sulfuric acid is at
from undried feed gases where a SOa-containing humid 60 a temperature of 70-85°. k is k
gas is produced, said gas is directly cooled with aque

65
 UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION
PATENT NO. : 4029751
DATED : June 14, 1977
INVENTOR(S) : Karl-Heinz Dorr, et all
It is Certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent
are hereby COrrected as shown below:

Column 4, line 19, insert --with-- after "cooling'

Column 5, 49, "10,000' should be a -10,000--

Column 15, "10,000" should be --10,000--.
Column 40, "10,000" should be a-10.000--.
Column 16, 'is' 1st occurrence should be --at--.
Column ine 56, "produces' should be --products--
eigned and Sealed this
Twenty-seventh Day of September 1977
SEAL

RUTH C. MASON LUTRELLE F. PARKER

Attesting Officer Acting Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks