Reactions between hydrogen sulfide and sulfuric acid were investigated in a laboratory batch reactor. At 120 degrees C, sulfur is a visible product of reactions between H2S and H2SO4. The amount of SO2 formed in the reaction depends on the sulfuric acid concentration and the reaction temperature. The overall reaction was observed to be exothermic. Based on the experimental results and thermodynamic analysis, the following two independent reactions were identified: (i) H2S + H2SO4 = S + SO2 + 2H(2)O and (ii) 2H(2)S + SO2 = 3S + 2H(2)O. The experimental results can be well explained according to the above-proposed reaction scheme. A novel process is suggested for hydrogen sulfide removal and sulfur recovery.