Process for producing hydrogen, sulfur and sulfur dioxide from hydrogen sulfide-containing gas streams

A process for making hydrogen, sulfur and sulfur dioxide from hydrogen sulfide, wherein said process comprises:

• introducing a gas stream comprising hydrogen sulfide into a sulfidation zone, operated under suitable sulfidation conditions and containing a lower metal sulfide, and contacting therein said gas stream with said lower metal sulfide to thereby yield molecular hydrogen and a higher metal sulfide;
• passing from said sulfidation zone a treated gas stream containing molecular hydrogen and having a reduced hydrogen sulfide concentration;
• passing from said sulfidation zone said higher metal sulfide and introducing it into a regeneration zone;
• introducing a sub-stoichiometric amount of molecular oxygen into said regeneration zone and contacting said higher metal sulfide with said molecular oxygen for a short contacting time to thereby convert said higher metal sulfide to said lower metal sulfide and to yield sulfur dioxide and elemental sulfur;
• passing from said regeneration zone said lower metal sulfide and introducing it into said sulfidation zone;
• and
• passing from said regeneration zone a regeneration zone effluent comprising sulfur dioxide and elemental sulfur.