LOW-TEMPERATURE FLUIDIZED-BED CLAUS REACTOR PERFORMANCE

A small-scale fluidized-bed reactor (0.1 m i.d., 0.86 m high) was used to carry out the Claus reaction at low temperatures (100-150°C) where elemental sulphur condensed on the catalyst particles (Kaiser alumina S-501), 195 μm mean particle size). The feed gas consisted of pure nitrogen mixed with H2S and SO2 in the ratio of 2 to 1. The H2S concentration was varied from 0 to 1300 ppm. The feed gas flow rate ranged from approximately 2.2 to 8.8 U/Umf and bed heights from 0.12 to 0.38 m. The experimental conversion efficiencies fell in the range of 60-96% and were less than those predicted thermodynamically. The conversion increased with H2S concentration and catalyst bed height; it decreased with gas flow rate. Contrary to thermodynamic predictions, the conversion increased with increasing temperature. These results suggest that thermodynamic equilibrium was not achieved in the reactor. Decline in conversion due to catalyst fouling was measured as a function of catalyst sulphur content. The experimental results are interpreted by means of a bubbling bed model. © 1990.