Solubility of Sulfur Dioxide in Seawater

The solubility of sulfur dioxide is measured in the seawater of the Arabian Gulf, which is characterized by large seasonal variations in temperature and high salinity. A literature review shows that this is the first investigation for measuring the SO<INF>2</INF> solubility in the Gulf seawater. The measurements are motivated by the need for the solubility data in the design and development of efficient seawater flue gas desulfurization systems. Solubility measurements are made as a function of the seawater temperature and salinity. Water samples include distilled water, seawater, mixtures of distilled water and seawater, and brine blowdown from the multistage flash desalination plants in Kuwait. The SO<INF>2</INF> solubility function has a second-order dependence on the system temperature and initial salinity. Results show an increase in the SO<INF>2</INF> solubility and the reaction rate at higher initial salinity. Higher solubility is measured at low temperatures. Good agreement is also obtained between the measured data, literature measurements, and predictions of the solubility model.