Abstract: A process is provided for the removal of trace amount of aromatic hydrocarbons from a waste feed gas stream comprising sulfur compounds and the aromatic hydrocarbons. An adsorption process employing an adsorbent such as a high silica zeolite adsorbent having a framework silica to alumina ratio greater than about 15 and having a pore size greater than about 6.2 Angstroms is used to remove from the feed gas mixture aromatic hydrocarbon contaminants and permit the recovery of a high purity sulfur product from the treated effluent stream. The adsorption zone comprises at least 2 adsorption beds wherein one of the first adsorption beds is operating in an adsorption mode and the other is being regenerated at a desorption pressure higher than the adsorption pressure. The regeneration is performed in a closed system or partially closed system, and prior to returning a regenerated adsorption zone to adsorption conditions the waste feed gas stream is used to cool and purge the regenerated zone.