The two-stage syngas methanation process of Qingneng Institute passed a 72-hour performance test

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The two-stage syngas methanization process developed by the Clean Energy Institute passed a 72-hour performance test. Author/Source: Date: 2017-08-02 Clicks: 16. From July 24 to 26, the two-stage syngas methanization process based on an isothermal reactor, an innovation of the Clean Energy Institute, underwent a 72-hour on-site performance test by a team of experts from the China Coal Industry Association at the coal-to-methanol production facility of Gansu Huating Coal Industry Group. A panel of experts composed of Researcher Lian Xiangdong from the China Coal Industry Association, Professor Ji Shengfu from Beijing University of Chemical Technology, and Professor Xie Qiang from China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing) listened to the project presentation by the Coal-to-Clean Fuels Research Institute of Qingneng Institute. They inspected the industrial pilot-scale testing equipment on site, reviewed the operational data from the control system, checked the parameters of the equipment’s operation in reality, and conducted sample analyses of the composition of the feed gas and product gas. The expert group agreed that the pilot-scale industrial test of the two-stage syngas methanation process using an isothermal reactor showed stable operation and accurate metering. The peak temperature in the first isothermal reactor remained below 400°C, which prevented carbon deposition on the catalyst and allowed its service life to be extended to over 3 years, while the space-time yield was doubled. The two-stage syngas methanation process features a short process flow, fewer equipment units, lower reaction temperatures, a longer catalyst lifespan, high space-time yield, and high quality of the by-produced steam, thereby reducing the capital investment in equipment and the operational costs associated with coal-to-gas production. The thousand-member team led by Dr. Xiao Tiancun from the Coal-to-Clean Fuels Research Institute at the Qingneng Institute built a two-stage isothermal methanation pilot plant with a capacity of 100 Nm3/h at the coal-to-methanol production facility of Gansu Huating Coal Industry Group in April 2017. Catalyst loading was carried out on June 5, and temperature rise and reduction tests were successfully conducted; the plant started operating successfully on June 8. By June 10, the entire process flow at the pilot plant was operational, and from June 12 it entered the stage of stable industrial operation. As of July 26, it had operated stably for a total of 1,080 hours.