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Will SiO₂ React With Sulfur Gas?

Q: Can SiO₂, as a refractory' ingredients which was used to lining inside a conversion reactor, react with SO₂ and SO₃ gasses inside reactor? My customer claimed that SiO₂ will react with sulfur gas and then corrode their S304 steel, which was used to construct their reactor. As much as I knew, SiO₂ can only be used as catalyst or capture sulfur gas in other process but it does not react with sulfur gas to produce any corroding substance.

A: This question is way beyond my area of expertise. From what I have read on this subject, I suspect whether you have a corrosion problem or not will depend on the operating temperatures, concentrations, and what other chemical species are present. I have one reference that indicates that a high silica refractory type is resistant to sulfur vapors (SO₂ and O₂) as long as the temperature is greater than 600° C. For further information, I suggest you consult a reference on this subject such as Carniglia, Stephen C. and Barna, Gordon L., “Handbook of Industrial Refractories: Technology Principles,Types, Properties and Applications,” Noyes Publications, 1992; Harbison-Walker, “Modern Refractory Practice,” Fifth Edition, 1992; or Plibrico-Japan, “Technology of Monolithic Refractories,” English Edition, 1984.

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