Methanation is one of the processes that enables the simultaneous mitigation of global
warming and the efficient utilization and storage of electrical energy from renewable energy
sources. The process takes place in the presence of a suitable catalyst, on whose active
surface a chemical reaction occurs in which hydrogen and carbon dioxide are converted into
methane and water vapor. Within the scope of this master’s thesis, measurements were
carried out at various temperatures, inlet flow rates, and reactant ratios following certain
modifications of an existing experimental setup for methanation. The results showed that the
highest methane production is achieved at an inlet reactant ratio of CO₂ : H₂ = 1 : 4, a total
inlet volumetric flow rate of 20 ml/min to the reactor, and a reactor internal temperature of
327 °C. Two empirical correlations were determined for predicting the methane fraction in
the product stream, both valid for the reactor under consideration. Based on theoretical
considerations, an equation was derived to model the kinetics of the methanation reaction
and the axial concentration profiles of the reactants along the reactor, and the obtained results
were compared with experimental data.
|
