SO₃ Formation in H₂S Flames

The microstructure of H₂S-O₂ flames has been developed in terms of composition and temperature profiles. With the aid of these profiles, rates of formation of SO₂ and SO₃ are reported and discussed. With the aid of kinetics and thermodynamic data developed for the principal reaction steps, it is shown that a major part of the SO₃-problem may be related to the O-atom oxidation of SO₂ in the flame. These fundamental studies of thermochemical reactions provide the basic information needed as the next step in understanding how reactions in flames and on surfaces affect external corrosion and deposits in boiler furnaces.