Sorption-enhanced CO and CO2 methanation (SEM) for the production of high purity methane

Sorption-enhanced methanation (SEM) is one of the solutions proposed for production high quality synthetic natural gas (SNG) under mild conditions temperature and pressure. In this novel process, reaction performed in presence an adsorbent that retains water produced as by-product. The SEM potential a Rh-based catalyst zeolite 5A has been demonstrated both CO CO2 hydrogenation. Pure CH4 was possible operating at 275 °C atmospheric pressure sorption-enhanced space velocities up to 514 mlCO2/gcat/h. For methanation, purities 86 vol% were achieved same but lower velocity (440 mlCO/gcat/h). Finally, SEM/regeneration cycles feed containing CO2, achieving stable performance throughout constant purity about 60 chosen.