Abstract

The objective of this novel catalyst development is to achieve both low temperature and high conversion of sour gases of H₂S and CO₂ present in the natural gas. The results showed that the conversion of H₂S to elemental sulfur on all of the potential catalysts was achieved 100 %. However, methanation of CO₂ in the presence of H₂S yielded 0.7 % CH₄ over Fe/ Zn/ Cu/ Ti-Al₂O₃ catalyst, 1.1 % CH₄ over Fe/ Zn/ Cu-Al₂O₃ catalyst and the highest is 6.1 % CH₄ over Pr/ Co/ Ni-Al₂O₃ catalyst at maximum studied temperature of 300 ^oC. The catalysts were further characterized by X-rays Photoelectron Spectroscopy and Nitrogen Adsorption analysis. XPS results revealed Ni²⁺ ion in the NiO and Ni³⁺ in Ni₂O₃ species, spinel compound of Co₃O₄ on the Pr/ Co/ Ni-Al₂O₃ catalyst.  N₂ adsorption-desorption analysis illustrated 7.9 % increment of surface area over the spent Pr/ Co/ Ni-Al₂O₃ catalyst, which assumed to be responsible for the dramatical increased of the methanation activity of this catalyst at the reaction temperature of 300 ^oC. 

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