CATALYTIC REDUCTION OF SO2 WITH METHANE OVER MOLYBDENUM CATALYST

This paper deals with catalytic reduction of SO2 with methane using mo lybdenum sulfide catalyst supported on two different activated carbons (Darco TRS and Norit ROZ-3). The experiments evaluated the effects of MoS2 catalyst loading (10%, 15%, and 20% Mo, by weight), gas feed-rat e concentration ratios of CH4 to SO2 (CH4:SO2 ratios of 2:1, 1:1, and 1:2) and reaction temperatures (450 degrees C, 500 degrees C, and 600 degrees C). The reactivity of each catalyst was evaluated by three dif ferent parameters: (a) SO2 conversion, (b) CH4 conversion and (c) the yield of elemental sulfur. The results show that the catalytic activit y of MoS2 supported on activated carbons is strongly related to the re action temperature and the CH4:SO2 feed ratio, with a secondary depend ency on the loading of the MoS2. The 20% MoS2 catalyst supported on Da rco TRS in a reactor stream with CH4:SO2 = 1:1 demonstrated the highes t activity of all the catalysts tested having an SO2 conversion of 99. 8%, At 600 degrees C and with a CH4:SO2 = 1:1, the catalysts with, 20% loading supported on both Dacro TRS and Norit ROZ-3 exhibited compara ble SO2 conversion, both above 90%.