Methanation

Within the power-to-gas concept, renewable H₂ is produced from wind and solar powered water electrolysis and further utilized for the catalytic methanation of CO and CO₂. 

SNG serves as a long-term energy carrier e.g. for grid stability in future power systems, where the fluctuating supply of renewable energies has to be matched with power demand temporally and locally by re-converting SNG into electricity. Furthermore, renewable methane is suitable as CO₂ neutral fuel for heavy-duty traffic, e.g. LNG-trucks continuing to use the well-developed combustion engines. 

One big advantage is the existing infrastructure, since SNG can be injected, distributed and stored in the wide-ranging natural gas grid. This also allows the production of SNG in small, decentralized plants.  

The hydrogenation of pure CO or CO₂ feeds to SNG is well developed. However, utilizing industrially relevant feedstocks and process conditions to deliver pipeline quality SNG, as in the methanation of raw biogas, flue or furnace gas (e.g. from steel or cement production), appropriate catalyst and process design is required. Usually, effluent gas of such applications contains mixtures of CO and CO₂ featuring a wide range of compositions that need to be converted to SNG. High shares of CH₄ can already be included in the feed for methanation that needs to be considered. 

In addition, trace components are present which can harm the active site of the catalyst through poisoning, oxidation or coking. The catalysts face various challenging process conditions in process integrated methanation reactions. Depending on the process steps in front or behind the methanation reactor, SNG has to be produced in unfavorable parameter space regarding temperature, pressure and severity that may lead to sintering of the metal nanoparticles and degradation effects of the catalyst. Therefore, it is crucial to test the catalysts under industrially relevant conditionst to evaluate their performance and stability.  

How can hte support your research?

hte supports its customers in process and tech service support of methanation demonstration plants as well as competitive catalyst testing and quality control. Investigating the catalyst stability, lifetime as well as root-cause of deactivation under industrially relevant process conditions and feedstocks are of great importance. The preparation of novel material formulations and catalyst screening broadens our competences.