Minimización de contaminantes (COS y CS2) en el proceso Claus utilizando gas ácido

At present, the Claus process is one of the main routes for the production of elemental sulfur, and, in parallel, for the management of acid gas (rich in H₂S), from the desulfurization of fuels with a high sulfur content for its subsequent use for energy applications. In this process, sulfur is generated by partial oxidation, in a furnace, of the H₂S contained in the acid gas. Once formed, the sulfur condenses, leaving a tail gas, which in addition to residual H₂S and SO₂ produced, contains small amounts of COS and CS₂. These atmospheric pollutants (COS and CS₂) are generated during the high temperature H₂S conversion stage, through secondary reactions between sulfur-containing compounds and carbon. The extent of these interactions and, consequently, the final emission of COS and CS_2, depends on the specific operating conditions and the reaction environment considered. Thus, the knowledge and understanding of the processes involved in the  interaction of acid gas compounds that contain carbon (e.g. CH₄ and CO₂) with H₂S is essential for the development and progressive optimization of the Claus process.