SELECTIVE OXIDATION OF HYDROGEN-SULFIDE TO ELEMENTAL SULFUR USING IRON-OXIDE CATALYSTS ON VARIOUS SUPPORTS

The catalyst presently used for the selective oxidation of hydrogen sulfide to elemental sulfur consists of iron oxide/chromium oxide supported on alpha-alumina of a low specific surface area. To meet with the demand for a catalyst of a higher activity, and, preferably, without chromia, iron oxide catalysts supported on titania, zirconia, magnesia, theta-alumina and silica, all of higher specific surfaces, were prepared and tested. Iron oxide supported on silica was found to be the most active and selective in the oxidation of hydrogen sulfide. Alumina, titania, and zirconia also exhibited a fair performance. The catalyst based on magnesia showed severe deactivation, which causes this support to be far from useful.