Process for the selective removal of hydrogen sulfide from gaseous stream

In a process for the selective removal of hydrogen sulfide from a gaseous stream additionally containing carbon dioxide, the gaseous stream is contacted with a polyvalent metal chelate solution for a time sufficient to allow the polyvalent metal chelate to oxidize the hydrogen sulfide to elemental sulfur. The chelate solution is regenerated by forming a low pressure area under the surface of the chelate solution and inducing oxygen-containing gas into the low pressure area to disperse the gas in the liquid and regenerate the chelate solution and form particles of elemental sulfur.