Abstract: A combustion process, e.g. for a gas turbine, comprises catalytically combusting part of a fuel/air feed in a preliminary catalyst body which has through passages and supports, or is composed of, a catalyst active for the combustion of the fuel. The resultant heated gas stream is then mixed with the remainder of the feed, and that mixture is combusted, e.g. catalytically in a main catalyst body. The amount of combustion occurring in the preliminary catalyst body is sufficient that combustion of the mixture of the heated gas stream and the remainder of the feed can be sustained at the desired operating conditions. Under those desired operating conditions combustion of the feed could not be sustained in the absence of the heating given by the combustion in the preliminary catalyst body. There may be more than one preliminary catalyst body.

Abstract: Low temperature desulphurization process using a bed of zinc oxide-containing absorbent in which the water content within the bed is temporarily increased, thereby increasing the sulphur absorption capacity of the absorbent.