Process for regenerating a solid copper-chromium reactant used in the removal of hydrogen sulfide from hydrogen recycle gas

Claim 1

A process for regenerating a solid reactant comprising copper and chromium disposed on a high-surface-area carbon support, said reactant having reacted to form a solid sulfur compound by contact with a hydrogen sulfide-containing recycle hydrogen stream in a hydrocarbon reforming system for removing substantially all the hydrogen sulfide from said hydrogen stream, said regeneration process comprising the steps of: a. forming sulfate by reacting said sulfur compound with oxygen in an oxygen-containing gas comprising an inert gas and about 0.1 to about 2 weight percent oxygen at a temperature between about 200° F and 425° F, whereby reduction of the surface area of said carbon support is prevented, and removing the resulting gas from contact with the resulting solid; b. forming sulfur dioxide by reacting said sulfate with hydrogen at a temperature of about 300° F to about 500° F, whereby a portion of the sulfur dioxide is adsorbed on said resulting solid, and removing the resulting gas from contact with said resulting solid; and c. desorbing sulfur dioxide from said resulting solid by contacting said solid with an inert gas at a temperature of 450° F to 600° F and removing the resulting gas from contact with said solid.