Lurgi OxyClaus process

The Claus reaction continues in the catalytic step with activated aluminum(III) or titanium(IV) oxide, and serves to boost the sulfur yield. More hydrogen sulfide (H2S) reacts with the SO2 formed during combustion in the reaction furnace in the Claus reaction, and results in gaseous elemental sulfur. About one-third reacts via Eq. (34.11) and two-thirds via Eq. (34.12). Further process modification such as the COPE, Lurgi OxyClaus, BASF Catasulf, and Superclaus were described by Kohl and Nielsen [21]. 

Figure 8-16 depicts a SURE reaction furnace burner being installed in a North American refinery Claus plant. The SURE burner, like the Lurgi OxyClaus burner, can operate at oxygen concentration levels of 45 vol%, achieving Claus plant capacity increases of about 80%. See Figure 8-12. Further details regarding the SURE process are provided by Chen et al. (1995), Hull et al. (1995), and Watson et al. (1995,1996).

OxyClaus A variation of the Claus process, using combustion with oxygen to convert a fraction of the sulfur compounds to sulfur dioxide before reaction. Developed by Lurgi Oel Gas Chemie and Pritchard Corporation. Ten plants were operating in 1995. In 2000, 16 plants were operating, and 14 more were in design or construction. 

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