Abstract:
This invention relates to a process for the removal of sulfur dioxide from a stream of gases comprising contacting said stream with a sulfur dioxide absorbing amount of a liquid absorbent comprising:
a) a non-cyclic sulfone of the formula
R-SO₂-R',
or b) a non-cyclic sulfonamide of the formula where, in the formulas a) or b), R,R'R'' and R''' are primary, secondary or tertiary alkyl, or alkaryl groups wherein the alkyl moieties have from 1 to 20 carbons and R'' and R''' may also be hydrogen, water being substantially insoluble with the sulfone of a) and the sulfonamide of b), and separating the rich sulfur dioxide enriched liquid absorbent from said stream.