MONOLITHIC-SUPPORTED NICKEL CATALYSTS: I. METHANATION ACTIVITY RELATIVE TO PELLET CATALYSTS

The catalytic activity and selectivity of pellet and monolithic supported Ni/A1 2 O 3 for methanation of carbon monoxide were investigated to determine the role of support geometry in catalyst performance. Turnover numbers, CO conversion versus temperature data, and product distributions were measured at space velocities from 15,000 to 50,000 hr -1 and pressures of 140 to 2500 kPa. The data show that monolithic supported nickel is significantly more active and selective for methane production at both low and high CO conversions compared to nickel catalysts beads and pellets. Monolithic supported methanation catalysts apparently operate with a higher effectiveness and rate of mass transfer than do catalyst beads or pellets. Because of its superior activity, selectivity and tow pressure drop at high space velocities, monolithic nickel may be the ideal catalyst for use in a high throughput recycle methanator