Abstract
The catalytic reduction of sulfur dioxide with carbon monoxide [SO2+2CO-1/ySy(elemental sulfur)+2CO2] was studied using a flow reactor (inside diameter:12.0mm) at atmospheric pressure and temperatures of 300 to 550C (mainly 550C).
In the absence of H20 and 02, sulfur, CO2 and COS were formed by the catalytic reaction. 50Co304-50Al203 showed the highest apparent activity, but was more inferior in the selectivity for sulfur. CuO-A1203 with less content of copper was the preferable catalyst in the selectivity for sulfur. For example, 10CuO-90Al203 showed about 100% selectivity.
However, in the presence of H20 and 02, in adition to COS, formed by the reaction of sulfur with CO, H2S was considerably formed by the side reactions:CO+H20-CO2+H2, 3H2+SO2-H2S+2H20, etc. Furthermore, the marked deactivation of the catalysts was found to be dependent on the temporary poisoning due to the adsorption of water vapor and on the formation of oxide and sulfate of reduced metal (copper, cobalt, etc.) in the catalyst.
