Apparatus for the production of sulfur from mixtures of hydrogen sulfide and fixed nitrogen compounds

In a thermal reactor for use in sulfur production consisting of a thermal reactor containing two thermal reaction zones in series, wherein the first thermal reaction zone has an inlet for feeding a first hydrogen sulfide feed and a source of oxygen thereto and wherein at least part of the hydrogen sulfide is converted to sulfur dioxide and wherein the second reaction zone has means associated therewith for feeding a second hydrogen sulfide feed thereto and wherein a portion of the formed sulfur dioxide reacts with hydrogen sulfide in the second thermal reaction zone to form sulfur, the improvement which comprises separating the first and second thermal reaction zones by a partition formed of a first transversely positioned planar apertured wall spaced from a second transversely positioned planar apertured wall, said planar walls being joined at their periphery to the external walls of said thermal reactor and extending radially inwardly therefrom, the first planar apertured wall serving a radiating surface to maintain a higher temperature in the first thermal reaction zone than the second thermal reaction zone, the respective apertures of said planar walls being interconnected by a gas flow conduit of a cross-sectional area which provides turbulent gas flow between said first and second thermal reaction zones, said partition being provided with means to introduce the second hydrogen sulfide feed into the gas flow conduit in the thermal reactor for turbulent mixing with the gas stream flowing from the first thermal reaction zone to the second reaction zone.