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Abstract

A method wherein a sour natural gas stream can be treated to produce formaldehyde from methane and methyl mercaptans, (primarily methanethiol (CH3 SH) and a small amount of dimethyl sulfide (CH3 SCH3)) from hydrogen sulfide, and 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 (CH2 O), and sulfur dioxide (SO2).

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