101

One-Stage In CO + 3 H 2 Methanat the = ion i n IRMA reaction 206 kJmo system: writing,of 900 hours makes it clear that, in comparison with the familiar results of conventional methanation pilot plants, the start-up and shut-down procedures can be considerably simplified with I RMA. > a large load range with corresponding heat extraction can be operated without difficulty; and complex product gas recycling is not necessary. The work with the single-stage methanation described here resulted from the cooperation agreement on Nuclear Long-Distance Energy Transport between the Jiilich Nuclear Research Centre and Rheinische Braunkohlenwerke AG. This concerns the development of processes in the field of heat transport by means of chemically bound energy according to the methane reforming-methanation sysi-em and has been supported by the Federal Republic of Germany. B. Hdhlein

methanation CH4 + H20

I -1

-1 CH + 2 H20 -165 kJmol +4H = 2 co2 4 with feed gases of about 20% CO + CO2 and more than 65% hydrogen, a high methane content in the product gas can only be achieved at low process gas temperatures (approx. 3OOC). The starting temperature of the exothermic, heterogeneously catalysed process is approx. 300C and the temperature load of the catal,yst should not exceed 700C. A multi-stage process with three adiabatic fixed beds and product gas recycling has been succesfully tested since 1979 in the pilot plant, ADAM I, as part of the work on the Projekt Nukleare Fernenergie (NFE - Nuclear Long Distance Energy Transport Project - of the Jill ich Nuclear Research Centre, KFA, and Rheinische Braunkohlenwerke AG, Cologne) at the Institute for Reactor Components (IRB) at the KFA (see Appl. Catal., 1 (1981)125). In September 1981, a single-stage methanation reaction in a catalytic fixed bed was succesfu I ly tested at the KFA Jtilich as part of a cooperation agreement between the NFE Partners and Haldor Topsoe A/S. In an InnengekUhlter Reaktor einer MethanisTerungsanIage (IRM~)(lnternallv Tooled Reactor of a Methanation Plant), the energy released during methanation was extracted at a heat-transfer medium temperature level of 311C, accompanied by the generation of saturated steam on the outside of the reaction tubes. The high methane content of 83% in the product gas (with 11% nitrogen) could thus be achieved in a single reaction stage without complex

New

Nickel

CataLya

produc:,g~~,~~~~bi~~~_,

(StD) Of

synthesis gas from the natural gas reforming plant EVA I at 30 bar is heated to a starting temperature of 300C and then flows through the reaction tubes filled with catalyst. The energy which can be extracted from the reaction tubes (approximately 250 kW) is removed in the heat exchanger at 311C and 100 bar by condens ing the steam generated during the cooling of the reaction tubes. The product gas leaves the reactor in a state of thermodynamic equilibrium at about 3200C. Test operation,up to the time of

It has been reported in Chem. Week (Apri I 21, 1982) that Graham Magnetics (Fort Worth, Texas),while searching for improved granular magnetic materials for magnetic tapes, happened upon a new method of producing metallic catalysts which, they claim, are at least equivalent to Raney nickel for the production of paraffins and olefins from synthesis gas. The materials can also be used in other types of reduction, hydrogenation, desulphurisation, oxidation, isomerisation and reforming operations. They are made from oxalic acid and one or more salts of metals such as Ni. Fe, Co, Cu or the noble metals. Several have.been tested with H? + CO mixtures (3:l. residence timg 0.5-1.05). When Ni was the only active component, CH was the only product but, when Co was included, the amounts of C2H6, C3H8 and higher paraffins increased; a catalyst containing Co, Fe and Ni gave appreciable quantities of C2H4 and C3H6 at low conversions of CO.

SYJ9slL5YUDos
The Process Technology Group of the Royal Society of Chemlstry held a day symposium on Synthesis Gas, Its Production and Util isation in London in June. The papers presented considered the

102
production of synthesis gas from hydrocarbons and coal and examined the relative merits of producing methanol from natural gas or coal. Several papers described homogeneously catalysed processes for the conversion of syngas to chemicals such as acetic anhydride, vinyl acetate and ethylene glycol. The conference proceedings will be published in due course by the Royal Society of Chemistry. Meeting at Harweil Presentations were given by: J.A. Cairns (Harwel I) on Oxide Supports and Monoliths; R. Burch (Reading University) Strong Meta I Support Interact ions; N.D. Parkyns (British Gas) on Co-Precip i tated Cata I ysts; J.R. Fryer (Glasgow University) on Graph it ic and Carbonaceous Supports and by C.J. Wright (Harwe I I ) on Crvsta I I oaraph ic Character isation of Co-Prkcipitaiedand other A particularly succesful Cata I ysts. feature of the meeting was a poster session, to which 11 posters were subcovering various aspects of the mitted, general theme of the meeting including metal-support intergel precipitation, analytical examination of actions, supports by techniques including ion vehicle exhaust catalysis, beams, immobilisation of enzymes on supports, surface segregation effects, coherent Anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy of supported catalysts. The encouraging response to this meeting suggests that it could become a regular event.

A Joint Meeting between the Harwell Catalyst Unit and the Surface Reactivity and Catalysis Group of the Royal Society of Chemistry, organised by Dr. J.A. Cairns, was held in the Cockcroft Hall, Harwell on 30th June 1982. It was opened by Dr. R.G. Sowden, Harwells Director of industrial Research. Its theme, Preparation, Performance and Characterisation of Supports in Heterogeneous Cata I ys i s, attracted over 100 delegates from Harwel I, the Universities and a wide spectrum of the catalyst industry.

CALENDAR

OF FORTHCOMING

EVENTS

Oct. 4-6, Boston, U.S.A. Nov. 1-4, Boston, U.S.A.

International on Chemical Engineering.

Symposium Reaction

Contact: Prof. James Wei, Dept. of Chemi. cal Engineering, Mass. Inst. Technol., Cambridge MA 02139, U.S.A. Contact: Secretariat, Laboratory, University, Dr. E. Hawk, General 110 Materials Research Pennsylvania State PA 16801, U.S.A.

Annual Meeting, American Materials Research Sot i ety .

February Pune, India.

5-7,

Symposium on Recent Advances in Catalysis and Catalytic Reaction Engineering. Rideal Conference Chemisorption and Catalysis (Invitation Only). on

Contact: Catalysis National Pune Secretary: Chemistry, Bradford

Dr. P. Ratnasamy, Society of India, Chemical Laboratory, 411008, India.

Secretary,

March 28-30, Bradford, U.K.

Dr. Ciive MCkee, School University of Bradford, BD7 LDP, U.K.

of

April Mi Ian, Italy.

27-29,

Principles and Applications of Pore Structural Applications.

Contact: Chemistry, Bristol

J.M. Haynes, University of BS8 ITS, U.K.

Dr.

School Bristol,

of