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Intermetallic compounds of the type MNi/sub 5/ as methanation catalysts

Journal Article · · Science; (United States)
OSTI ID:5359929
Catalytic reactions of carbon monoxide with hydrogen have been studied in which intermetallic compounds of the formula MNi/sub 5/(where M is thorium, uranium, or zirconium) have been used as the catalysts. The materials perform effectively as methanation catalysts; ThNi/sub 5/ has a specific activity exceeding that of a typical commercial oxide-supported methanation catalyst by a factor of about 5. This material also shows superior resistance to hydrogen sulfide poisoning. Nickel, formed as a decomposition product of the MNi/sub 5/ intermetallic compound, is probably the active species, but its properties are influenced by the nature of M in the precursor MNi/sub 5/ system.
Research Organization:
Univ. of Pittsburgh
OSTI ID:
5359929
Journal Information:
Science; (United States), Journal Name: Science; (United States) Vol. 196:4294; ISSN SCIEA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English