Characterization of multi-component methanation catalysts by temperature-programmed reduction method to develop novel type methanation catalyst

Although CO-methanation catalyst has been applied for a long time in the purification process of gaseous materials for the inert activity of methane, the methanation of carbon oxides has come to be utilized more and more for new processes such as fuel cell technology and synthesizing clean and high calorific gaseous fuel. TPR study was used for characterization of catalysts to predict the activity and develop new type to increase the performance and saving energy. Published high activity of three-component methanation catalyst composed of 5 wt % Ni-2.7 wt % La₂O₃-0.2% Ru supported on θ-alumina in addition to conventional catalysts were characterized to verify the conclusions previously drawn. The new type four-component methanation catalyst (Ni, La₂O₃, Ru, Rh supported on θ-alumina) was developed with the help of TPR results of the catalysts. The activity increased by addition of trace amount Pt group metals Ru and Rh along with La₂O₃ due to hydrogen spillover effect. Ru and Rh helped hydrogen atoms to dissociate and then reduced the metal oxides. Hydrogen spillover initiated Ru or Rh oxides reduction by creating nuclei of Ru or Rh, which then catalyzed the reduction of the remaining oxides. This is an abstract of a paper presented at the 14th Saudi-Japan Joint Symposium (Dhahran, Saudi Arabia 12/5-6/2004).