AbstractCommercial activated alumina and titanium dioxide catalysts were treated with Teflon to reduce the negative effects of water vapour on the oxidation of hydrogen sulphide by sulphur dioxide (Claus Reaction) near the sulphur dew point. The tests were conducted at 200°C and 130°C (108 kPa), with and without 30% water vapour in the feed gas. An alumina/Teflon composite catalyst was found to be superior to both untreated commercial catalysts at 130°C. This improvement was probably due to an increase in macroporosity rather than to a wetproofing effect. At 200°C, the performance of the composite was similar to that of the untreated titanium dioxide which in turn was superior to the untreated activated alum