GB806411A - Catalytic removal of organic sulphur compounds from town gas or other fuel gases - Google Patents

Abstract

In a process for removing organic sulphur compounds from fuel gases the gases are passed at about 400 DEG C. over a catalyst comprising a compound containing molybdenum or tungsten, phosphorus, sulphur and a metal in its molecule. The compounds may be copper, nickel, cobalt, iron, lead, zinc or tin phosphothiomolybdate or phosphothiotungstate deposited on a carrier, e.g. activated alumina or ceramic granules. In an example the catalyst employed contained nickel phosphothiomolybdate on a granular support. The catalyst was prepared by dissolving 100 gms. of ammonium phosphomolybdate in aqueous ammonia, the solution being treated with H2S at room temperature, boiled to remove excess of H2S and the resulting solution containing ammonium phosphothiomolybdate was used to impregnate 300 gms. of activated alumina granules. The granules were dried, treated with an aqueous solution of nickel sulphate and again dried and finally gradually heated to 400 DEG C. in a non-oxidizing gas stream. The catalyst containing the corresponding copper compound may be prepared by adding a solution of cupric sulphate in aqueous ammonia to the solution containing ammonium phosphothiomolybdate and impregnating porous ceramic granules, the granules being then dried and heated to remove ammonia and volatile ammonium salts.