Catalytically enhanced absorption of sulphur species from odorous air streams: A new technology for odour abatement

Nuisance odours, often containing sulphur species, are a high pro®le emission from many types of plants in the process industries. In particular in the food processing industries and sewage treatment sulphur compound emissions are common. These sulphur species are usually very easy to oxidise and their removal from the gas stream by absorption into a dilute aqueous oxidising agent can be effective in de-odorising the air (F.H.H. Valentin, A. North, Odour Control ± A Concise Guide, Warren Spring, UK, 1980). However, it is possible to increase the oxidative reaction rate with a catalyst and this enhancement in reaction rate can be such that for most applications (E.H. Stitt, F.J. Taylor, K. Kelly, Catalytically enhanced packed towe