A STUDY OF SUPPORTED MOLYBDENUM CATALYSTS FOR THE REDUCTION OF SO2 WITH CH4 - EFFECT OF SULFIDATION METHOD

An experimental investigation of the effect of sulphidation method of supported molybdenum catalysts used in the reduction of SO2 with Ch(4) was carried out. Two sulphidation methods, one using H2S and the othe r using a mixture of SO2/CH4, are compared. The methods are evalauted with respect to molybdenum retention, extent of molybdenum sulphidatio n, and catalytic activity. Mo/Al2O3 catalysts sulphided with H2S are s uperior to those sulphided under SO2 and CH4 reaction conditions. Alth ough complete sulphidation is never achieved in either of the two case s, the higher activity found with H2S-sulphided catalysts is attribute d to a higher degree of molybdenum sulphidation resulting in a higher MoS2 content. The 15% Mo/Al2O3 catalyst sulphided with H2S at 600 degr ees C showed the highest activity and had the highest MoS2 content.