Regeneration of catalysts in methane prodn. - from hydrocarbons, by substitution of hydrocarbons by methanol during use

• Main Authors: KAEMPFER, KNUT- . DR., 6700 LUDWIGSHAFEN, SCHWARZMANN, MATTHIAS. DR., 6703 LIMBURGERHOF
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; German
• Published: 07.08.1975
• Edition: 2
• Subjects: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOIDCHEMISTRY; CHEMISTRY; CRACKING HYDROCARBON OILS; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; METALLURGY; MINERAL WAXES; PEAT; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL; PRODUCTION OF LIQUID HYDROCARBON MIXTURES, e.g. BY DESTRUCTIVEHYDROGENATION, OLIGOMERISATION, POLYMERISATION; RECOVERY OF HYDROCARBON OILS FROM OIL-SHALE, OIL-SAND, ORGASES; REFINING MIXTURES MAINLY CONSISTING OF HYDROCARBONS; REFORMING OF NAPHTHA; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS; TRANSPORTING

Methane-contg. gases are produced from 2-30C hydrocarbons, using Ni on a carrier as catalyst, by passing steam at pressures >1 atmos. and pre-heating to >250 degrees C to produce a temp. of 300-600 degrees C in the catalyst bed, in which the catalyst is simultaneously regenerated by wholly or partly replacing the hydrocarbon feed with methanol. Used for the mfr. of rich gases e.g. for use as natural gas substitutes. De-activation of the catalyst by carbonaceous deposits, as shown by a steady migration of the temp. profile through the bed, is reversed. Subsequent de-activation is not significantly faster e.g. half the original activity, as measured in bed thickness, can be maintained. Production of gas is not interrupted or permanently reduced.