Aluminum Open Cell Foams as Efficient Supports for Carbon Dioxide Methanation Catalysts: Pilot‐Scale Reaction Results. Issue 11 (20th July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Frey, Myriam; Bengaouer, Alain; Geffraye, Genevieve; Edouard, David; Roger, Anne‐Cécile
• Is Part Of: Energy technology. Volume 5:Issue 11(2017:Nov.)
• Page Start: 2078
• Page End: 2085
• Publication Date: 2017-07-20
• Subjects: aluminum -- heterogeneous catalysis -- methanation -- open cell foams -- pilot-scale reactions; Energy development -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; 333.79
• DOI: 10.1002/ente.201700188
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2194-4288

Abstract

Abstract: To control the highly exothermal nature of carbon dioxide methanation (ΔR H =−165 kJ mol −1 ), a reactor capable of efficiently evacuating the heat generated is essential. A pilot‐scale (≈75 cm 3 ) structured bed filled with an aluminum open cell foam (OCF) was chosen for the many advantages of this kind of reactor (high surface/volume ratio, low pressure drop, intensification of mass and heat transfer). A coating procedure for aluminum OCF was first developed. Different catalytic test conditions allowed a low temperature increase with a maximal value of 25 °C, as well as the influence of reaction temperature, pressure and flow rate on the axial temperature profile along the bed, to be shown. Finally, a comparison of the data collected herein for a powder fixed bed shows that the methane productivity obtained is similar to that obtained for the same catalyst in the powder form, but a much lower temperature increase due to the reaction and a lower pressure drop where clearly observed when using the aluminum OCF‐supported catalyst. Abstract : Test beds : Catalytic tests are performed on a pilot scale for the highly exothermal carbon dioxide methanation reaction. The axial temperature profile and pressure drop measurements are performed on stream. Data collected are compared with that for a powder bed to show the advantage of using an aluminum open cell foam covered with a catalyst compared with a catalytic bed composed of extrudates or powder.