Catalytic reduction of SO{sub 2} with methane over molybdenum catalyst. Technical report, March 1--May 31, 1995

One of the primary concerns in coal utilization is the emission of sulfur compounds, especially SO{sub 2}. This project deals with catalytic reduction of SO{sub 2} with methane using molybdenum sulfide catalyst supported on different activated carbons: Darco TRS, ROZ-3, and an activated carbon prepared from Illinois coal IBC-110. The work conducted during this quarter included preparation of activated carbons from Illinois coal, preparation of the catalysts on these supports, and experiments on SO{sub 2} reduction with methane at different feed ratio SO{sub 2}: CH{sub 4}. It was found that at the feed ratio 1:1, 10% MoS{sub 2} supported on Darco TRS catalyst has highest activity at low temperatures; at higher temperatures, the catalysts 15% and 20% MoS{sub 2} supported on Darco TRS exhibit high activity in both SO{sub 2} conversion (> 90%) and yield of elemental sulfur (97.4% for 20% MoS{sub 2} at 600 C). For catalyst supported on ROZ-3, this having 10% of MOS{sub 2} showed high activity in the reaction. To determine the effect of feed ratio on the reaction, the catalysts with 15% loading of MoS{sub 2} supported on Darco TRS and ROZ-3 were used. For catalyst supported on ROZ-3 activated carbon, the effect of feed ratio is dramatic, especially at the higher temperatures at which the conversion of SO{sub 2} increases more than twice when the feed contains excess of methane. For catalyst supported on Darco TRS activated carbons, there is practically no difference in SO{sub 2} conversion for feed ratios 1:1 and 1:2 (with respect for methane)