Increased preheating of sulfur plant gases
 Claus-type processes used in the past to recover sulfur from low H.sub.2 S acid gas, in the presence of hydrocarbon or other impurities which are harmful to the Claus catalyst, have required the use of straight-through operation with the burning of supplemental fuel gas to maintain the required combustion temperature in the furnace. A method for conserving the amount of additional fuel gas required involving utilization of the excess heat of combustion to preheat the acid gas and oxygen-containing streams to a temperature in excess of 600.degree. F prior to combustion is described. Additional energy savings are achieved by preheating the Claus tail gas effluent prior to incineration. 
Standard Oil Company (Indiana)
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John W. Ralph G. Robert L.
Palm Ruth Reed