Process and an agent for the adsorption and catalytic decomposition of foul-smelling intestinal gases

Abstract

There is provided a process for the adsorption and catalytic decomposition of foul-smelling intestinal gases, particularly mercaptans, wherein the intestinal gases are passed through a highly specific adsorbent which, out of a mixture of water vapor, methanol, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide and various sulfur-containing gases, particularly mercaptan-containing gases, catalytically decomposes and adsorbs only the sulfur and mercaptan compounds and optionally desorbs the non-smelling fractions. An absorbent for use in the method is characterized in that it contains an inert, highly porous solid having a specific surface according to BET of from 900 to 1800 m.sup.2 /g or pyrogenic silicon dioxide having a surface of from 50 to 500 m.sup.2 /g, the specific surfaces having been determined by argon adsorption at -196.degree. C., which are covered over their surface with from 0.1 to 5% by weight of aluminium, zinc, chromium or iron, based on the weight of the solid having a specific surface of 1000 m.sup.2 /g, or a mixture of metal-coated, inert highly-porous solids of this type.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.