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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Process of producing a natural gas substitute

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5861833
An improvement in the production of a natural gas substitute is disclosed comprising at least about 80% of methane by volume by multi-stage methanation of a synthesis gas containing hydrogen and oxides of carbon over fixed-bed nickel-containing catalysts under a pressure of about 5 to 100 bars. The starting synthesis gas, preferably produced by oxygen and water gasification of coal, has about 8 to 25% by volume of methane on a dry basis. It is methanated in a first stage at an inlet temperature of about 230/sup 0/-400/sup 0/ C and an outlet temperature of about 550/sup 0/ to 750/sup 0/ and then in a second stage at about 230/sup 0/ to 500/sup 0/ C. The process is economical with respect to heat consumption and equipment cost.
Assignee:
Metallgesellschaft Ag (Germany, Federal Republic of)
Patent Number(s):
US 4205961
OSTI ID:
5861833
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English