Methanation

AbstractMethanation, i.e., catalytic hydrogenation of carbon oxides (CO and CO2), especially methanation of CO, has been studied extensively from the beginning of the twentieth century. Focus of academic and indusrial interests of methanation has shifted during the long period, and the history of methanation can be divided into three stages. In the first stage, methantion of CO had been studied as a typical catalytic reaction of simple molecules associated with Fischer–Tropsch reaction, which aims at the synthesis of higher carbon‐number hydrocarbons. In the second stage, methanation was applied to the production of high caloric gaseous fuel from coke oven gas and/or syngas, called SNG process. Methanation was also applied to a chemical heat pipe system, so‐called FVA–ADAM process, which aimed to establish an energy saving technology. In the third stage, the knowledge of methanation was extended to solve the problem of global warming with CO2. Especially, design of the catalyst for ultrarapid methanation of carbon oxides contributes in a practical way to solve global warming owing to CO2accumulation. Both catalyst components and pore structure of the catalyst support are significant factors that contribute to whether a catalyst may be used for ultrarapid methanation. Simultaneous methanation of CO and CO2is also described.