Process for reducing NO.sub.x and/or SO.sub.x in feed gas streams

In a process for removing SO.sub.x components from an industrial stack gas stream also comprising O.sub.2 and water vapor, said water vapor being present in a concentration in excess of three times the molar percentage of SO.sub.x components, wherein said SO.sub.x components are converted to H.sub.2 s, which H.sub.2 s is subsequently removed, the improvement comprising:

• 1. contacting said stack gas stream with a solid carbonaceous material in a combustion zone maintained at a peak temperature between about 900.degree. and 1600.degree. F so as to (a) convert at least some of said SO.sub.x components to H.sub.2 S and COS, (b) consume essentially all of said O.sub.2 in combustion of said carbonaceous material, and (c) consume a portion of said water vapor by reaction with said carbonaceous material to form CO and H.sub.2, thereby producing a gaseous effluent of reduced SO.sub.x content but containing water vapor, H.sub.2 S, COS, residual SO.sub.x components, and at least sufficient H.sub.2 and CO for the reduction of said residual SO.sub.x components to H.sub.2 S in step (2) hereinafter;
• 2. contacting said gaseous effluent from step (1) with a solid catalyst comprising cobalt and molybdenum at a temperature between about 300.degree. and 800.degree. F so as to (a) reduce at least some of said residual SO.sub.x components to H.sub.2 S and (b) convert essentially all of said COS and H.sub.2 S and essentially all of said CO to CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 by reaction with water vapor;
• 3. withdrawing a purified gas stream containing H.sub.2 S as essentially the only gaseous sulfur component therein;
• and
• 4. removing said H.sub.2 S from said purified gas stream.