CO2 Methanation: The Effect of Catalysts and Reaction Conditions

Abstract

Great attention has been paid to develop non-fossil fuel energy sources to reduce carbon emissions and create a sustainable energy system for the future. Storing the intermittent energy is one of the challenges related to electricity production from renewable energy resources. The Sabatier reaction produces methane from carbon dioxide and hydrogen, with the latter produced by electrolysis. Methane could be stored and transported through the natural gas infrastructure already in place, and be a viable option for renewable energy storage. Current technology for biogas upgrading focuses on removing carbon dioxide from the biogas. However, the biogas could potentially be used directly as feed gas for the Sabatier reaction, thereby removing the cost associated with carbon dioxide removal and increasing the methane yield and carbon utilization from biological sources. Carbon dioxide methanation requires a catalyst to be active at relatively low temperatures and selective towards methane. Nickel based catalyst are most widely investigated, and commercial catalysts are typically nickel on alumina support. Focus on catalyst development for carbon dioxide methanation is predominantly related to support modification, promoter addition, as well as utilizing new class of materials such as hydrotalcite-derived catalysts.