A study on non-catalytic oxidation kinetics of calcium sulfite is presented under typical conditions of wet flue gas desulfurization (FGD)in this paper. A laboratory-scale mechanically stirred tank reactor is used with continuous feed of both gas and liquid phase. The results show that increasing CaSO3 load from a lower value

the reaction rate increases and is limited by solid sulfite dissolution. The oxidation rate limitation is observed at loads exceeding certain concentration. The rate limitation is possibly caused by solid sulfite solubility or oxygen gas-liquid diffusion. The experimental conclusions are useful for design and operation of the holding tank in forced-oxidation wet FGD.