Methanation features

Methanation features

In order to ensure that the feed is free from carbon oxides, it passes through the methanator, which converts any traces of carbondioxide and unconverted carbonmonoxide (CO) from the shift section into methane (CH4).

The carbonmonoxide and carbondioxide content in the feed is normally reduced to a few ppm before the feed passes to the ammonia synthesis converter.

Methanation catalyst

To counter problems of carbon monoxide and carbondioxide leakage, Topsoe has developed a methanation catalyst, PK-7R, which operates at inlet temperatures down to 190ºC/375ºF while ensuring that CO and CO2 are fully converted at inlet temperatures down to 190ºC/375ºF.

The superior activity and stability of the PK-7R catalyst enables operating at low temperatures which provides the client with long cycle length and significant energy savings.

With its ring shape, the PK-7R catalyst achieves a 50% reduction in pressure drop relative to the conventional spherical or cylindrical shaped methanation catalysts.