Acid gas to high value products by methanol thiolation: Case study

K۲O/WO۳/γ-Al۲O۳ catalysts were synthesized by incipient wetness impregnation method. The possibility of using acid gas as feedstock in methanol thiolation process was examined. the effect of impurities (hydrogen and hydrocarbons) on H۲S conversion and products distribution was evaluated. The catalysts were characterized and tested in a fixed-bed flow reactor for an acid gas with ۱۲.۲ mol% H۲S. Hydrocarbons reforming reactions were unexpectedly observed beside the methanol thiolation reactions. Dimethyl sulphide and methanethiol were produced by methanol thiolation and hydrogen was produced by the hydrocarbons reforming reactions. H۲S was converted about ۷۸.۶%. The yields were reported about ۷۴.۸% and ۳.۸% for dimethyl sulphide and methanethiol respectively. The amount of hydrogen was increased more than ۲۰۰% in reactor outlet.

Keywords:

Acid gas , Methanol thiolation , Dimethyl sulphide , Methanethiol , Hydrogen