Sulfur Dioxide Combustion of Sulfur Compounds of Significant Environmental Concern
What is sulphur dioxide? Sulfur dioxide (also sulphur dioxide) is the chemical compound with the formula SO2. This important gas is the main product from the combustion of sulfur compounds and is of significant environmental concern. SO2 is often described as the “smell of burning sulfur” but is not responsible for the smell of rotten eggs.
SO2 is a colourless gas. It smells like burnt matches. It can be oxidized to sulphur trioxide, which in the presence of water vapour is readily transformed to sulphuric acid mist. SO2 can be oxidized to form acid aerosols. SO2 is a precursor to sulphates, which are one of the main components of respirable particles in the atmosphere. It reacts on the surface of a variety of airborne solid particles, is soluble in water and can be oxidised within airborne water droplets.
Read more