A method wherein a sour natural gas stream can be treated to produce primarily carbon monoxide from methane, and the carbon monoxide and hydrogensulfide are reacted to produce methyl mercaptans, (primarily methanethiol (CH.sub.3 SH) and a small amount of dimethyl sulfide (CH.sub.3 SCH.sub.3)). The methyl mercaptans preferably are passed in contact with a catalyst comprising a supported metal oxide or a bulk metal oxide in the presence of an oxidizing agent and for a time sufficient to convert at least a portion of the methyl mercaptan to formaldehyde (CH2O), and sulfur dioxide (SO2).
This technology is protected under the US Patent 6,683,221Isreal Wach's Lehigh Page