Catalyst for use in the catalytic reduction of sulfur contained in a gas stream and methods of making and using such catalyst

A method for making a catalyst composition useful in the catalytic reduction of sulfur compounds contained in a gas stream, wherein said method comprises:

• a) co-mulling an inorganic oxide, a first molybdenum compound, and a first cobalt compound to provide a co-mulled mixture;
• b) forming said co-mulled mixture into a formed agglomerate;
• c) drying and calcining said formed agglomerate under first calcination conditions to provide a calcined formed agglomerate;
• d) incorporating a second molybdenum compound and a second cobalt compound into said calcined formed agglomerate to provide an impregnated formed agglomerate;
• and
• e) drying and calcining said impregnated formed agglomerate under second calcination conditions to provide said catalyst composition,
• wherein said catalyst composition includes both underbedded molybdenum and underbedded cobalt that are overlaid with both molybdenum and cobalt.