Process for the removal of hydrogen sulfide from gaseous streams by catalytic oxidation of hydrogen sulfide to sulfur while inhibiting the formation of sulfur oxides

摘要

A process is provided for removing hydrogen sulfide and alkyl mercaptans from gaseous streams. The hydrogen sulfide is oxidized catalytically to sulfur, substantially without formation of sulfur oxides, in the presence of a metal chelate catalyst solution and a soluble alkali metal or alkaline earth metal or ammonium or amine salt of an acid having a pK within the range from about 1.2 to about 6. The alkyl mercaptans are oxidized to dialkyl disulfides under the same conditions.