CO2 Methanation in Microstructured Reactors – Catalyst Development and Process Design

Abstract The sulfur tolerance of mono‐ and bimetallic ruthenium catalysts for CO 2 hydrogenation was investigated in microchannel reactors. H 2 S was selected as a model compound. It was found that a Ru/CeO 2 catalyst deactivates rapidly. Ni was a much better additive to improve the catalyst stability compared to Rh and serves as a sulfur trap. The influence of the support was evaluated showing that a SiO 2 ‐supported catalyst has a higher stability and better selectivity compared to CeO 2 and TiO 2 . A plant concept was developed comprising two‐step methanation with a first adiabatic reactor stage followed by a plate heat‐exchanger reactor with integrated cooling which allows more than 97 % CO 2 conversion. A pilot plant will be put into operation in connection with a biogas plant and an electrolyser of 50 kW power consumption.