Elementary Sulfur Recovery by H sub(2)-Regeneration of SO sub(2)-Adsorbed CuO/Al sub(2)O sub(3)-Effect of Operation Parameters

Effect of operation parameters on the elemental sulfur recovery by H sub(2)-regeneration of SO sub(2)-adsorbed CuO/Al sub(2)O sub(3) was investigated. The amount of H sub(2) fed and the H sub(2) feeding strategy were important parameters that determined the concentrations of SO sub(2) and H sub(2)S in the system. The parameters also determined the elementary sulfur yield and the SO sub(2) capacity in the subsequent SO sub(2) removal process. The results showed that SO sub(2) was the primary gas product of H sub(2)-regeneration as evidenced by the high SO sub(2) concentration at low H sub(2)/Cu molar ratios. It was concluded that O sub(2) treatment of the regenerated CuO/Al sub(2)O sub(3) after H sub(2)-regeneration increased the elementary sulfur yield further, and eliminated the residual sulfur-containing gases in the system.