The Study of the Influence of Sulfur on the Catalyst Structure in Low Temperature Claus Processes

The efficiency of 2 samples of alumina catalyst has been studied experimentally in the course of the Claus 'tail gas' treating processes at the sulphur sub-dew point. The process was carded out in a fixed bed reactor. The sulphur produced in the reaction condenses on the solid surface contributing to its deactivation by fouling. Sulphur incorporation into the solid is governed by internal diffusion of the reactants in microdomains of the porous network, the factors affecting the latter being of capital importance in the occupation degree of the solid. The textural characteristics of the catalysts supports were studied by porosimetric techniques: nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms and mercury intrusion. The surface morphology of catalyst and sulfur distribution on catalyst before and after adsorption is determined by SEM-EDX. The results show that, there has some relevance between the surface change and pore volume change. And in the low temperature Claus sulfur recovery catalyst, pore volume should be mor important than the surface area.