Abstract: Process of treating sulfur containing gas streams by the Claus reaction in which a recycle stream containing a reactive component is employed in a negative feedback mode to maintain the sulfur producing Claus reaction at approximately equilibrium conditions. The feedstream may contain hydrogen sulfide or sulfur dioxide in a minor amount in an inert gas background. In one embodiment the feedstream to the reaction zone contains a stoichiometrically excess amount of sulfur dioxide for the Claus reaction. Effluent from the reaction zone is passed to a hydrogenation zone where the sulfur dioxide is converted to hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen sulfide is extracted from the hydrogenation zone effluent and recycled to the Claus reaction zone. In another embodiment the feedsteam may contain a stoichiometrically excess amount of hydrogen sulfide.