ROASTING OF PYRITES

air

Pyrites burner SO2

FeS2 O2 N2
gangue
𝐹𝑒2 𝑂3
gangue

MAIN 4𝐹𝑒𝑆2 + 11𝑂2 → 2𝐹𝑒2 𝑂3 + 8𝑆𝑂2

 ROASTING OF PYRITES

air

Pyrites burner SO2 SO3

FeS2 O2 N2
gangue
𝐹𝑒2 𝑂3
gangue

SIDE 4𝐹𝑒𝑆2 + 15𝑂2 → 2𝐹𝑒2 𝑂3 + 8𝑆𝑂3

 ROASTING OF PYRITES

air

Pyrites burner SO2 SO3

FeS2 O2 N2
gangue

cinder
Fe2O3
gangue
unburned FeS2
adsorbed SO3
 ROASTING OF PYRITES

CASE 1: Based on Pyrite analysis

1 Non – combustible materials are reported as

gangue in the analysis.

2 The cinder consists of: gangue, Fe2O3,

unburned FeS2 and adsorbed SO3.
The analysis of the cinder is usually
reported in (a) % each component or
(b) % S by SO3, FeS2 or both.
 ROASTING OF PYRITES

CASE 1: Based on Pyrite analysis

3 Theo O2 calculations may be based on

any of the reactions (main or side)

11 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑜𝑓 𝑂2
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜 𝑂2 𝐹𝑒𝑆2 → 𝑆𝑂2 = (𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝐹𝑒𝑆2 )
4 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒 𝑜𝑓𝐹𝑒𝑆2
15 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑜𝑓 𝑂2
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜 𝑂2 𝐹𝑒𝑆2 → 𝑆𝑂3 = (𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝐹𝑒𝑆2 )
4 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒 𝑜𝑓𝐹𝑒𝑆2
 ROASTING OF PYRITES

CASE 2: Based on Burner Gas analysis

1 In the Orsat analysis of the burner gas, SO3 is

not included. The SO3 is usually removed from
the gas as H2SO4 before the analysis starts

𝑆𝑂3 + 𝐻2 𝑂 → 𝐻2 𝑆𝑂4

In short, Orsat analysis = SO3-free and H2O-free analysis.

 ROASTING OF PYRITES

CASE 2: Based on Burner Gas analysis

1 [cont..] To find the total moles of SO3 formed

(burner gas + adsorbed), a comparison of the
O2 in the burner gas i.e. the sum of (nSO2 x
11/8) and free O2, and O2 supplied by air will
show an unaccounted O2 for which is present
as the combined O2 in the total SO3 formed.
 ROASTING OF PYRITES

CASE 2: Based on Burner Gas analysis

1 Hence,
11
𝑂2,𝑎𝑐𝑐 = 𝑛𝑆𝑂2 + 𝑛𝑂2
8

𝑂2,𝑢𝑛𝑎𝑐𝑐 = 𝑂2,𝑠𝑢𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑑 − 𝑂2,𝑎𝑐𝑐

1
𝑛𝑆𝑂3,𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑒𝑑 = 𝑂2,𝑢𝑛𝑎𝑐𝑐
15/8

Note: SO3 formed = SO3 in burner gas + SO3 adsorbed in the cinder
 ROASTING OF PYRITES

CASE 2: Based on Burner Gas analysis (Example)

Basis: 100 mol of flue gas (Orsat)

𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒎𝒐𝒍𝒆𝒔 𝑶𝟐
𝑆𝑂2 8 8 × 11/8 accounted O2
𝑂2 7 7 = 18 mol

𝑁2 85 85 × (21/79) O2 from air = 22.6 mol

Unaccounted O2 = 22.6 – 18 = 4.6 mol This 7.6 mol is used

by the side reaction
to produce SO3.
Total SO3 formed = 7.6 x (1/ (15/8)) = 4.05 mol
 REFERENCE

▪ Lewis, W. K., et al. (1954). Industrial Stoichiometry:

Chemical Calculations of Manufacturing Processes.
McGraw – Hill Book Company, Inc.