Abstract: A process is provided for the production of hydrogen and sulphur from a gas containing hydrogen sulphide. Such a process comprises passing the gas through a cracking zone at a temperature of from about 850.degree. C. to 1600.degree. C., cooling the cracked gas to a temperature of from about 110.degree. C. to 150.degree. C., and separating the condensed elemental sulphur. The uncracked hydrogen sulphide is separated and returned to the cracking zone; the remaining gas is withdrawn as hydrogen-rich gas.

Abstract: A process for utilization of the reaction heat generated by the catalytic oxidation of o-xylene with air to phthalic anhydride in a tubular reactor, which heat is partially carried away from the reactor by the reaction gas and partially by fused salt used as a cooling medium. Water is heated by heat exchange with the hot reaction gas, evaporated by heat exchange with the fused salt and the steam is superheated and expanded in a condensation turbine coupled with the feed air compressor. The hot reaction gas is used successively to heat, or evaporate, a heat carrier liquid serving for the heating of the phthalic anhydride distillation, and the pressurized water. Low pressure steam can be generated by heat exchange of pressurized water with the reaction gas and used for heating the feed air and/or o-xylene.

Abstract: Sulfur dioxide in sulfur dioxide-containing gases is thermally reduced at relatively moderate temperatures under reducing conditions provided by the incomplete combustion of hydrocarbon to produce elemental sulfur. Elemental sulfur can be recovered from the effluent gases from the thermal reduction and the effluent gases may be treated by conventional catalytic processes to recover additional elemental sulfur from the remaining sulfur values.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention sulfur dioxide in sulfur dioxide-containing gases is converted under selective conditions to provide elemental sulfur in an efficient and economically-acceptable manner for present day industrial operations. The conversion involves the thermal reduction of sulfur dioxide in a zone at relatively moderate temperatures maintained by the combustion of carbonaceous fuel in the zone to provide elemental sulfur and to provide a gaseous thermal reduction effluent which is acceptable for further processing to recover additional sulfur values therefrom.