Desulfurization intensification by ionic liquid in a rotating packed bed

Desulfurization by ionic liquids (ILs) has attracted wide attention since ILs as green solvents can be recycled after desorption. However, the high viscosities of ILs limit the sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) absorption in gas-liquid contactors. In this work, a rotating packed bed (RPB) with excellent mass transfer performance was employed for SO 2 removal with caprolactam tetrabutyl ammonium bromide ([CPL][TBAB]) IL. Effects of rotational speed, temperature, liquid flow rate, and gas flow rate on the desulfurization efficiency were systematically studied. By optimization of the solvents, the desulfurization efficiency remains almost unchanged after multiple absorption and regeneration cycles, and the energy consumption during desorption process can also be reduced. These results indicated that the RPB combined with ILs has promising prospects for SO 2 absorption and desorption in sulfuric acid plants.