Abstract: A gas mixture comprising molecular oxygen and 15 to 60 vol-% SO2 flows through a first catalyst layer which contains a catalyst containing vanadium pentoxide, and directly subsequently through a second catalyst layer which contains a catalyst containing iron. With an inlet temperature of 350 to 600° C., the gas mixture is introduced into the first catalyst layer which contains a granular V2O5 catalyst and 20 to 80 wt-% catalytically inactive inert material. Directly subsequently, the gas mixture is introduced into the second catalyst layer with a temperature of 500 to 750° C. Preferably, the catalyst of the second catalyst layer contains 3 to 30 wt-% arsenic oxide. There is produced an SO3-containing product gas with a volume ratio of SO2: SO3 of not more than 0.1.

Abstract: A catalyst for reacting SO2 with molecular oxygen to form SO3 is suited for a continuous operation at temperatures of 700° C. and above, when the same consists of a carrier and an active component connected with the carrier, the active component consists of 10 to 80 wt-% iron, the carrier has a BET surface of 100 to 2000 m2/g and an SiO2 content of at least 90 wt-%, and the weight ratio carrier:active component is 1:1 to 100:1.

Abstract: Nitrosylsulphuric acid is mixed in a mixing reactor with sulphuric acid saturated with SO2. The acid mixture is led into a saturating reactor into the bottom region of which water and an SO2-containing gas are introduced. The gas partially serves as stripping gas inside the saturating reactor. SO2-saturated, Nox-free sulphuric acid with 5 to 60 wt % H2SO4 is removed from the bottom region of the saturating reactor and part thereof is mixed with nitrosylsulphuric acid in the mixing reactor.

Abstract: To effect a quasi-isothermal catalytic reaction of SO.sub.2 to SO.sub.3, a plurality of consecutive rows of banks of cooling tubes, are provided in the bed of shaped catalyst bodies in a contact reactor in such a manner that the banks of succeeding rows are staggered from the banks of the preceding rows. The distance between the cooling tubes in the banks is so selected that a penetration of entire catalyst bodies into the banks will virtually be prevented. The banks are so designed that the pressure drop of the gas in the banks is approximately the same as the pressure drop in the layer of catalyst between the bank. The distance between the banks is larger than the width of the banks.