In ridding fluids, including hydrocarbon fluids, both gaseous and liquid, of sulfur compounds including hydrogen sulfide, oxides of sulfur, and thiols, the present invention uses a small quantity of an activator, generally a noble metal oxide, preferably a copper species and/or a manganese species, along with a known oxide product, such as iron oxide, iron hydroxide, zinc oxide, zinc hydroxide, manganese oxide, manganese hydroxide, or combinations thereof, to thoroughly remove sulfur contaminants in a short amount of time. The activator allows for the use of smaller reactor vessels and the production of hydrocarbon fluids substantially free of sulfur products.