Abstract: To minimize the inhibitory effect of sulfur on the oxidation of hydrogen sulfide with oxygen in a gas stream on the solid catalysts, first, the elemental sulfur content in the gas stream is reduced to less than 3.0 mg/l, preferably 0.3 mg/l, and second, the temperature in the oxidation reactor is maintained so that the relative vapor pressure of sulfur in it remains less than 0.25, preferably less than 0.1. The removal of sulfur from the gas stream by washing it with water or aqueous solution decreases the ignition temperature of the process to 155-160° C. Because of this the initial concentration of H2S might be elevate up to about 2% for a regular adiabatic reactor and to 10% by volume for a reactor with a heat-redistributing system.

Abstract: To minimize the inhibitory effect of sulfur on the oxidation of hydrogen sulfide with oxygen in a gas stream on the solid catalysts, first, the elemental sulfur content in the gas stream is reduced to less than 3.0 mg/l, preferably 0.3 mg/l, and second, the temperature in the oxidation reactor is maintained so that the relative vapor pressure of sulfur in it remains less than 0.25, preferably less than 0.1. The removal of sulfur from the gas stream by washing it with water or aqueous solution decreases the ignition temperature of the process to 155-160° C. Because of this the initial concentration of H2S might be elevate up to about 2% for a regular adiabatic reactor and to 10% by volume for a reactor with a heat-redistributing system.