Abstract: The invention relates to a process for removing hydrogen sulfide and recovering sulfur from a gas stream, comprising the steps of: contacting said gas stream with an aqueous catalyst solution of a polyvalent metal redox catalyst in a contacting zone to absorb said hydrogen sulfide and form a reduced catalyst solution comprising reduced polyvalent metal redox catalyst and sulfur particles; oxidizing said reduced catalyst solution while removing sulfur particles to form said oxidized aqueous catalyst solution comprising polyvalent metal redox catalyst in an oxidized state with sulfur particles removed; and recovering sulfur by transferring at least one of said sulfur particles and foam to a separation zone; wherein a coagulating reagent is added to a feed of said separation zone prior to entering said separation zone to promote settlement of sulfur particles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for removing sulfur particles from an aqueous catalyst solution used to remove hydrogen sulfide from a gas stream (1, 5), comprising the steps of directing a flow of a suspension (12) comprising reduced catalyst solution and sulfur particles to an oxidizer zone (20), where the catalyst solution is regenerated by contacting said suspension with a gas (22) containing oxygen; and removing sulfur from said suspension at least by gravity sedimentation at a bottom (21) of said oxidizer zone (20). According to the invention a flow deflecting means (34) is disposed at least at an outlet (35) for the oxidized catalyst solution leaving said oxidizer zone (20) such as to prevent any turbulent state caused at least by a stream of oxidized catalyst solution leaving said oxidizer zone (20) such as to reduce foaming and plugging of the whole system.