Method of producing an activated alumina Claus catalyst
AssigneeAluminum Company of America
InventorKenneth P. Goodboy
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An improved Claus catalyst is provided in the form of activated alumina in which sodium oxide concentration, LOI and surface area of the catalyst are carefully controlled to achieve increased sulfur conversion. Sulfur recovery is enhanced by choosing an alumina catalyst having properties which minimize chemisorption of sulfur dioxide on the catalyst at reaction conditions. Sodium oxide may be present in an amount of 0.1 to 2.5 wt % of the catalyst (1100.degree. C. calcined basis). The catalyst desirably has a surface area greater than 100 m.sup.2 /g (BET) and an LOI (hydroxyl content as determined by heating from 400.degree. to 1100.degree. C.) between 2.0 and 6.0 wt %. A method of producing the catalyst and a method of using the catalyst are also provided.
Claims6
A method of producing an activated alumina catalyst suitable for use in a Claus process and having increased resistance to sulfate poisoning and increased catalytic activity, the method consisting essentially of:
- (a) sizing alumina to an average particle size of about 10 microns or less;
- (b) then, rapidly activating the sized alumina particles by exposure to relatively high temperatures of greater than 300.degree. C. for less than one minute;
- (c) agglomerating the activated alumina in the presence of water;
- (d) aging the alumina agglomerates in the presence of water at pH greater than 7 to rehydrate the alumina;
- and
- (e) activating the aged alumina by exposure to relatively high temperatures from 350.degree. to 900.degree. C., the activated alumina catalyst produced having sodium oxide present in an amount greater than 0.50 wt. % (1100.degree. C. calcined basis), an LOI (400.degree. to 1100.degree. C.) of less than 6.0 wt. % and a specific surface area greater than 100 m.sup.2 /g (BET).
A method of producing an activated alumina catalyst suitable for use in a Claus process and having increased resistance to sulfate poisoning and increased catalytic activity, the method consisting essentially of:
- (a) sizing alumina to an average particle size of about 10 microns or less;
- (b) then, rapidly activating the sized alumina particles by exposure to relatively high temperatures of greater than 300.degree. C. for less than one minute;
- (c) agglomerating the activated alumina in the presence of water;
- (d) aging the alumina agglomerates in the presence of water at pH greater than 7 to rehydrate the alumina;
- and
- (e) activating the aged alumina by exposure to relatively high temperatures from 350.degree. to 900.degree. C., the activated alumina catalyst produced having sodium oxide present in an amount greater than 0.10 wt. % (1100.degree. C. calcined basis), an LOI (400.degree. to 1100.degree. C.) of less than 4.0 wt. % and a specific surface area greater than 100 m.sup.2 /g (BET).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.