CATALYST FOR METHANATION OF CARBON OXIDES, PREPARATION METHOD OF THE CATALYST AND PROCESS FOR THE METHANATION - Patent applic.
We earlier documented the United States Patent awarded to the Pennsylvania company, Air Products and Chemicals, for what is, in part, and even in essence, a technology for recycling Carbon Dioxide.
Herein, we document that a Japanese company has followed up on that disclosure of technology by applying for a US Patent of their own, wherein they in turn disclose that they have improved an at least similar technology for recycling Carbon Dioxide, by developing a more efficient and effective catalyst for the process.
Brief comment follows our heavily-edited excerpts from the link enclosed above:
"Patent application title: Catalyst for Methanation of Carbon Oxides: Preparation and Process
Inventors: Koji Hashimoto, et. al.
Assignees: Daiki Ataka Engineering Co., Ltd.
Origin: Washington, DC
IPC8 Class: AC01F1700FI; USPC Class: 518715
Abstract: Disclosed is a catalyst for methanation reaction producing methane with high conversion by reaction of hydrogen with carbon dioxide, or a gas mixture of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, or a gas mixture containing these compounds as the main components. The catalyst is prepared by the steps of mixing (A) aqueous zirconia sol with salts of (B) stabilizing element(s), which is selected from the group consisting of Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy, Ca and Mg, and (C) iron group element(s), drying and calcining the mixture to obtain a catalyst precursor, and subsequent reduction of the precursor. The catalyst comprises, by atomic %, A: 18-70%, B: 1-20% and C: 25-80% based on the elemental states of the metals. The catalyst is characterized by multiple oxide of tetragonal zirconia structure, in which not only the stabilizing element(s) but also a part of the iron group element(s) is incorporated, and on which the iron group element(s) in the metallic state is supported.
Claims:
1. A catalyst for methanation reaction producing methane by hydrogenating carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide or a mixed gas containing at least one of them as the main components, consisting of, based on the metals in the elemental state:A) Zirconium (and) zirconia-stabilizing element selected from the group consisting of Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy, Ca and Mg ... at least one of the iron group elements being supported on the tetragonal zirconia supporter and acting as the active site ... and wherein the iron group element or elements in the metallic state are supported on the supporter.
...
5. A process for methanation of carbon oxides, which comprises contacting a mixed gas of carbon dioxide, mixture of carbon dioxide and carbon dioxide, or a mixture containing at least one of them as main components and hydrogen with the catalyst ... .
Description and Background:
The present invention concerns a catalyst for methanation or formation of methane by reaction of hydrogen with carbon dioxide, a mixture of carbon monoxide and dioxide, or a mixed gas containing them as the main components. The invention also concerns method of preparing the catalyst and the process for the methanation using the catalyst.
(Note the following paragraph, especially.)
Global warming due to carbon emissions as a result of combustion of fossil fuels is getting serious, and ways for decreasing the emission have been sought. As one of the countermeasures, the method of producing methane by reaction of carbon dioxide with hydrogen is expected to prevent global warming and supply fuel. Also, hope is placed on the technology of producing fuel gas with high combustion energy by methanation from low combustion energy gas mixture of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide formed by gasification of coke, coal, biomass, activated sludge, and so on.
(It's far past time we made "hope" a practical reality. The technology to do so, "with ... coal", is here.)
The catalyst disclosed in Japanese Patent Disclosure No. 2000-254508 includes the following embodiments:
A catalyst for carbon dioxide methanation ... .
The method of preparing the catalyst for carbon dioxide methanation ... .
The object of the present invention is to provide a catalyst for carbon dioxide methanation with high activity and selectivity even at a temperature of 250 C or lower, which is useful also for production of methane by the reaction of the gas mixture of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and hydrogen utilizing the above-noted novel method of producing the catalyst."
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We, of course, are not qualified to comment on the technical claims of this Japanese-patented invention.
What we can say, though, based in this and many other references we've brought to your notice, is that Carbon Dioxide is a raw material resource, of great potential value, that arises, in a small way, relative to natural sources, from our use of coal, and other industrial processes. And, scientists are at work on developing the technologies to better utilize it. In this Japanese disclosure, it is revealed that the energy required to accomplish the recycling has been reduced, as in "a catalyst for carbon dioxide methanation with high activity and selectivity even at a temperature of 250 C or lower", and the economy of the process thus made more favorable.
And, keep in mind: Once we have the Methane, we can use it to recycle even more Carbon Dioxide, through the "Tri-reforming" technology explained by Penn State University, into liquid fuels and valuable chemicals.
Moreover, technologies exist, as we have documented and will document further, that enable the direct conversion of Methane, as herein synthesized from Carbon Dioxide, into liquid fuels, with or without being reformed by more Carbon Dioxide.
We shouldn't allow ourselves to be fooled into punishing, through Cap & Trade, our coal-use industries for their coproduction of Carbon Dioxide; nor, should we allow ourselves and our coal industries to be conned out of it through deceptive extortions like Geologic Sequestration.
As told to us by Japanese scientists herein, we can reclaim Carbon Dioxide, and recycle it with increasing efficiency into other, needed and useful, products.