Oxidation of SO{sub 2} and continuous recovery of sulfuric acid over activated carbon fibers and their composites

Recent developments have shown that activated carbon fibers (ACF) can be used as catalysts for the continuous removal of sulfur dioxide in flue gas through low temperature reaction to produce sulfuric acid. Our previous studies have demonstrated that certain activated carbon fibers can have much higher (approximately one order of magnitude) catalytic activity than granular activated carbons. In this paper, we examine the catalytic performance of activated carbon fibers and composites formed from these fibers, possessing a rigid, monolithic and highly permeable structure. These novel carbon composites can not only improve the handling and loading of ACF catalysts but permit catalytic surfaces to be readily accessed and utilized. The effects of composite fabrication and other processing parameters on catalytic activity will be described.