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Abstract

A process for catalytically oxidizing the H.sub.2 S present at low concentration in a gas to sulphur wherein the gas together with a gas containing free oxygen in a quantity to provide and O.sub.2 to H.sub.2 S mole ratio ranging from 0.05 to 10 are contacted with a catalyst for selectively oxidizing H.sub.2 S to sulphur, the catalyst comprising a support based on silicon carbide associated with a catalytic active phase containing at least one transition metal such as Fe, Ni, Cr, Co, Cu, Ag, Mn, Mo, Ti, W or V, in a form of a metal compound and/or in the elemental state. Prior to treating the gas, the oxidation catalyst is subjected to an activation treatment which loads the active phase of the catalyst to provide maximum sulphurization of the metal of the catalyst. In an alternate embodiment, the oxidation of the H.sub.2 S is performed below the dew point of the sulphur. In another embodiment, the oxidation is performed at a temperature above the dew point of sulphur and in particular between 200.degree. C. and 500.degree. C. Also disclosed is a catalyst for selectively oxidizing H.sub.2 S to sulphur which comprises a catalytically active phase based on at least one transition metal such as indicated above in combination with a silicon carbide support.

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First Claim