Patent ID: 7122170

Claim:
A process for producing synthesis gas comprising: passing a gaseous mixture comprising H 2 S, light hydrocarbon and O 2 over a catalyst in the reaction zone of a reactor, said catalyst having activity for catalyzing the partial oxidation of said hydrocarbon to a product comprising CO and H 2 and also having activity for catalyzing the partial oxidation of H 2 S to elemental sulfur and water, said gaseous mixture comprising a H 2 S:C molar ratio of about 1:10 to about 2:3; maintaining reaction promoting conditions such that the direct partial oxidation of H 2 S to elemental sulfur and water, and the partial oxidation of the light hydrocarbon to carbon monoxide and hydrogen occur and a process gas stream is obtained comprising CO, H 2 , gaseous elemental sulfur and steam; and condensing elemental sulfur from said process gas stream to provide a sulfur depleted synthesis gas stream.