Optimising Production of Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG) From Methane Synthesis

• Published in: Proceedings in applied mathematics and mechanics Vol. 25; no. 1
• Main Authors: Rakhi, Mauss, Fabian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.03.2025
• ISSN: 1617-7061; 1617-7061
• DOI: 10.1002/pamm.202400044

ABSTRACT To optimise the methanation of synthesis gas (syngas) with a focus on achieving maximum methane and minimum CO, a comprehensive thermodynamics analysis of CO2${\rm CO}_{2}$ hydrogenation is conducted. This study will help us to understand the thermodynamic behaviour of the reactions involved in the methanation process. We have investigated the species, CO2${\rm CO}_{2}$, H2${\rm H}_{2}$, CH4${\rm CH}_{4}$, H2O${\rm H}_{2}{\rm O}$ and CO at the equilibrium in a temperature range of 200–1200∘C$^{\circ }{\rm C}$ with pressure variation of 1 to 300 atm and a fuel composition of H2/CO2=4${\rm H}_{2}/{\rm CO}_{2}=4$. Low temperatures (200–400∘C$^{\circ }{\rm C}$) and high pressures are favourable for the complete consumption of CO2${\rm CO}_{2}$ and H2${\rm H}_{2}$ as well as to obtain maximum CH4${\rm CH}_{4}$. Also, in this temperature range, there is no formation of the species CO. The formation of CO becomes a serious issue from 400∘C$^{\circ }{\rm C}$ for low pressures, for example, 1 atm. This can be shifted to slightly higher temperatures, i.e., 600∘C$^{\circ }{\rm C}$ if high pressures are selected. The study can help us to select the optimum conditions (temperature and pressure) to perform the experiments to achieve maximum CH4${\rm CH}_{4}$ by full methanation of CO2${\rm CO}_{2}$. This will also support us for the development of catalysts and processes for the production of natural gas which can be reintegrated into the network of natural gas.