Major breakthrough achieved in large-scale coal-to-natural gas methanation technology in our country

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Major breakthrough achieved in China’s large-scale coal-to-natural gas methanization technology 2022-08-08 22:53 · Huasheng Online. Report by Cao Xiuying from Science and Technology Daily. On August 8, China National Offshore Oil Corporation reported that the methanization catalyst developed jointly by CNOPC Gas & Power Group Co., Ltd. (referred to as “Gas & Power Group”), a subsidiary of CNOC, and Southwest Chemical Engineering Research and Design Institute Co., Ltd. (referred to as “Southwest Institute”), was able to operate at 110% full capacity steadily for the first time in the Qinghua large-scale coal-to-natural gas project in Xinjiang. The methane concentration reached 61.7 mol%, which is nearly 3 percentage points higher than that of technologies imported from abroad; this marks a significant breakthrough in China’s independently developed large-scale coal-to-natural gas methanization technology. It is stated that coal-to-natural gas is a clean synthetic natural gas product obtained by gasifying, purifying, and methanating low-quality coal. As an important component of modern coal chemical industry, it represents one of the key approaches for the clean utilization of coal in China and for ensuring an adequate supply of gas for people’s daily needs; it is thus related to **energy security and socio-economic development. Methanization technology is one of the key core technologies for converting coal into clean natural gas, and it plays a crucial role in improving the efficiency of coal utilization. Our country has been committed to the localization of the entire technology chain for coal-to-natural gas production. At present, technologies such as coal gasification, shift reaction, and acid removal have already been localized, but the development of methanation technology is highly challenging, and no breakthroughs have been achieved over the years. https://p3-sign.toutiaoimg.com/tos-cn-i-tjoges91tu/TDvmmSd3wSzrTf~noop.image?_iz=58558&from=article.pc_detail&x-expires=1660635370&x-signature=f0b38UD0DyTJiSHqZ%2BAXkNFSu1w%3D The Gas and Electricity Group began researching coal-to-natural gas production technologies and catalysts in 2010, and in 2013 it launched joint research efforts with the Southwest Research Institute. The self-developed methanation catalyst features high temperature resistance, high activity, high stability, and resistance to carbon deposition, meeting the requirements of large-scale coal-to-natural gas industrial production. “The methaneation catalyst developed independently was successfully used in the first operation of the coal-to-natural gas plant in Qinghua, Xinjiang. The methaneation unit has been able to operate stably over long periods, with product quality meeting requirements; natural gas was successfully integrated into the pipeline network. This achievement has enabled the localization of technologies across the entire value chain in the coal-to-natural gas sector, filling a gap in China’s industry and playing a vital role in ensuring a continuous and stable supply of natural gas as well as safeguarding energy security. ”Hou Jianguo, deputy chief engineer of the Technology R&D Center of the Gas and Electricity Group, explained. It is reported that the Gas and Electricity Group will take this technological industrial application as an opportunity to further promote the use of methanation technologies in the second and third phases of the Qinghua project in Xinjiang. At the same time, it will intensify its market promotion efforts and explore innovative applications for these methanation technologies in areas such as the integration of coal chemistry with renewable energy, as well as the chemical utilization and reduction of carbon dioxide. This will help contribute more to the clean utilization of coal in China, to the development of a \"clean, low-carbon, safe, and efficient\" energy system, and to the early achievement of the goals of carbon peak and carbon neutrality.