1 Institute of Coal Chemistry and Chemical Materials Science (Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences), Kemerovo, Russia;

2 Institute of Catalysis of Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia

Z. R. Ismagilov, Executive Officer1, Head of Laboratory2, e-mail: zri@catalysis.ru

Institute of Catalysis of Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
S. R. Khayrulin, Senior Researcher

Copper Plant of Polar Division of “Norilsk Nickel” MMC, Norilsk, Russia.
S. B. Gradyushko, Head of Drying Shop
R. R. Sadykov, Head of Laboratory (Center of Engineering Maintenance of Production)

“Norilsk Nickel” MMC, Moscow, Russia

I. V. Ilyukhin, Chief Manager of Department of Scientific and Technical Development

Nowadays, for the purpose of processing of high-sulphur gas of Vanyukov furnaces, the Copper Plant of Polar Division of “Norilsk Nickel” MMC applies the technology of high-temperature reduction of sulphur dioxide by methane, with obtaining of elemental sulphur with productivity of to 300 t/day with extraction of 75–80% of sulphur. According to the basic “methane” technology with the single-stage catalytic Claus stage, increasing of extraction ratio of sulphur by >80% can be mainly reached due to increasing of efficiency of the following catalytic stages. Within the scope of this problem solving, there were held the pilot testings of low-temperature catalytic process of reduction of sulphur dioxide on real gases of Vanyukov furnaces in the conditions of operating elemental sulphur manufacturing area of the copper plant`s sulphur shop. It is shown, that release of elemental sulphur by >85% is provided by the developed low-temperature reduction process at copper-chromium catalyst CuCr-CeAl-2 in the range of temperatures from 200 to 260 <sup>o</sup>C and 2000 hours<sup>–1</sup> of volumetric rate. Usage of developed catalyst CuCr-CeAlO-2 in operating production of elemental sulphur manufacturing area of the copper plant`s sulphur shop at the second (third) stage of catalysis makes it possible to do the following operations:
— decreasing of risk of carbon-black formation in thermal reactor;
— increasing of the basic extraction of sulphur to 96%;
— increasing of the level of line controllability during the changing of volumetric rate and technological gas content at the entrance to reactor, which is connected with the catalyst`s ability to realize the simultaneous Claus reaction and sulphur dioxide reduction reactions by hydrogen and carbon single-oxide with obtaining of elemental sulphur.

1. Ismagilov Z. R., Khayrulin S. R., Yashnik S. A., Parmon V. N., Ilyukhin I. V. Tsvetnye Metally — Non-ferrous metals. 2007. No. 7. pp. 80–85.
2. Ismagilov Z. R., Khayrulin S. R., Yashnik S. A., Ilyukhin I. V. Vestnik Kazakhskogo natsionalnogo universiteta imeni Al-Farabi. Seriya khimicheskaya — Bulletin of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. Chemical series. 2007. No. 3 (47). pp. 45–63.
3. Ismagilov Z. R., Khayrulin S. R., Yashnik S. A., Ilyukhin I. V., Parmon V. N. Kataliz v promyshlennosti. Spetsvypusk — Catalysis in Industry. Special issue. 2008. pp. 73–79.
4. Ismagilov Z. R., Khayrulin S. R., Yashnik S. A., Kerzhentsev M. A., Korotkikh V. N., Parmon V. N., Ilyukhin I. V., Naftal M. N. Pilotnye ispytaniya kataliticheskikh protsessov ochistki otkhodyashchikh gazov pechey Vanyukova i vzveshennoy plavki ot sernistogo angidrida s polucheniem elementnoy sery (Pilot testings of catalytic processes of purification of end gases of Vanyukov furnaces and flash smelting from sulphuric anhydride with obtaining of elemental sulphur). Doklad Vserossiyskoy konferentsii. 11–14 dekabrya (Report of All-Russian conference. 11–14 of December). Saint Petersburg, 2007.
5. Ismagilov Z., Khairulin S., Yashnik S., Parmon V., Ilyukhin I. New catalysts and advanced technology for catalytic reduction of sulphur dioxide from emissions of non-ferrous smelters. Forteenth International Congress on Catalysis “Catalysis as the Pivotal Technology for the Future Society”. 13–18 of July. Seoul, Korea, 2008.
6. Ismagilov Z. R, Yashnik S. A., Surovtsova T. A., Khayrulin S. R., Ilyu khin I. V., Parmon V. N. Katalizator i sposob vosstanovleniya dioksida sery (Catalyst and method of reduction of sulphuric dioxide). Patent RF, No. 2369435. Applied : August 14, 2008. Published : October 10, 2009.
7. Ismagilov Z. R., Yashnik S. A., Khayrulin S. R., Ilyukhin I. V., Parmon V. N. Katalizator, sposob ego prigotovleniya i sposob ochistki gazovykh vybrosov ot dioksida sery (Catalyst, method of its manufacturing and method of purification of gaseous releases from sulphur dioxide). Patent RF, No. 2369436. Applied : August 14, 2008. Published : October 10, 2009.
8. Yashnik S. A., Ismagilov Z. R., Khayrulin S. R., Ilyukhin I. V., Parmon V. N. Katalizator, sposob ego prigotovleniya i sposob ochistki gazovykh vybrosov ot dioksida sery (Catalyst, method of its manufacturing and method of purification of gaseous releases from sulphur dioxide). Patent RF, No. 2372986. Applied : August 14, 2008. Published : October 11, 2009.