The effect of H2S on the performance of La0.7Ce0.2FeO3 perovskite catalyst was investigated for the production of hydrogen from simulated coal-derived syngas via the water gas shift reaction at 600 degrees C and 1 atm. The results show that the catalyst activity decreases with increasing concentrations of H2S up to 1100 ppm, but the negative effect of H2S on its activity is reversible. However, even at the high H2S concentrations catalyst activity is still greater than that measured with sour shift catalyst. Overall, the results indicate that La0.2Ce0.2FeO3 perovskite catalyst has a high degree of H2S tolerance, particularly in the low H2S concentration regime. Copyright (C) 2011, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.