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

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 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, H2, CH4, H2O and CO at the equilibrium in a temperature range of 200–1200 with pressure variation of 1 to 300 atm and a fuel composition of H2/CO2 = 4. Low temperatures (200–400 ) and high pressures are favourable for the complete consumption of CO2 and H2as well as to obtain maximum CH4. Also, in this temperature range, there is no formation of the species CO. The formation of CO becomes a serious issue from 400 for low pressures, for example, 1 atm. This can be shifted to slightly higher temperatures, i.e., 600 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 by full methanation of CO2. 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.