Catalytic oxidative decomposition of H2S over MoS2/γ-Al2O3

[Display omitted] •MoS2/Al2O3 catalysts were studied for the H2S oxidative decomposition to S2 and H2.•The effect of MoS2 loading was investigated at 1273 K.•Highest H2 yield was obtained on 10 wt% MoS2/Al2O3 catalyst.•A predictive mathematical model was developed for the H2S oxidative decomposition.•Good agreement between the model and the experimental data was achieved. MoS2 phases supported on Al2O3 with different content in the range 5–20 wt% were prepared, characterized and tested as catalysts for the H2S oxidative decomposition for the simultaneous production of hydrogen and sulphur. The chemical-physical characterization results have evidenced a good dispersion of MoS2 on Al2O3 support. With respect to the Al2O3, MoS2 loading influenced particularly the value of H2 yield and minimized the SO2 production without substantial differences in H2S conversion (~50%). In particular, the highest H2 yield was observed for the catalyst having a nominal MoS2 loading of 10 wt%. A predictive mathematical model of the H2S oxidative decomposition reaction in presence of 10 wt% MoS2-based catalyst was developed through the identification of the main reactions occurring in the system. The predictive capability of the model was verified in the temperature range between 1073 and 1273 K by varying also the H2S inlet concentration.