Continuous process for selective oxidation of H2S over SiC-supported iron catalysts into elemental sulfur above its dewpoint

Iron supported on silicon carbide (SiC) is shown to be a high conversion catalyst for the oxidation Of H2S with a high selectivity into elemental sulfur above sulfur dewpoint in the presence of large amounts of oxygen and steam in the feed. The active phase is probably an iron oxysulfide or a non-stoichiometric sulfate phase. It is stable for several weeks in an industrial micropilot plant, and no deactivation is observed even in the presence of a large amount of steam, These performances are due to the intrinsic physical properties of the SiC carrier but also because of the optimal dispersion of the active phase. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.