Nickel catalysts supported on calcium titanate for enhanced CO methanation

Abstract

Nickel catalysts supported on the perovskite oxide CaTiO₃ (CTO) were prepared by an impregnation method for CO methanation to produce synthetic natural gas (SNG). X-Ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, H₂-temperature programmed reduction and desorption, and X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy were employed for the characterization of samples. The results revealed that the Ni/CTO catalysts showed a better performance than Ni/Al₂O₃ for CO methanation at various reaction conditions. The life time test at 600 °C and 3.0 MPa indicates that Ni/CTO is also more active, thermally stable and resistant to carbon deposition. This is because of the relatively weak Ni–CTO support interaction, highly stable CTO support, the absence of acidic sites on the surface of CTO and the proper Ni particle size of about 20–30 nm. The work is important for the development of effective methanation catalysts for SNG production.