Removing hydrogen sulfide from hydrogen-rich gas streams by selective catalytic oxidation

Direct oxidation of H₂ to elemental sulfur by the use of a selective catalyst such as activated carbon is believed to be a preferred approach for dilute H₂S containing gas streams. This technique has the possibility of reducing sulfur to the part-per-billion level and many advantages. Nevertheless, its successful application depends on the development of good catalysts, which convert H₂S completely but minimize the formation of unwanted by-products. The catalytic behaviors of three selected commercial activated carbons and one laboratory-made sample were tested using reformate as the model gas stream. The formation of COS was observed when the commercial samples were used, while the synthesized sample showed excellent activity and selectivity. This is an abstract of a paper presented at the 228th ACS National Meeting (Philadelphia, PA, 8/22-26/2004).