A hydrocarbon gas such as methane and LPG is desulfurized in the presence
of oxygen and an oxidation catalyst to convert sulfur compounds in the
gas to sulfur oxides. The sulfur oxides are then trapped downstream of
the oxidation by an adsorbent. The amount of oxygen added to the
hydrocarbon gas to promote oxidation is such that the sulfur compounds
are selectively oxidized and the oxidation of the hydrocarbon gas is
minimized to reduce hydrogen formation.