CO2 methanation combined with NH3 decomposition by in situ H2 separation using a Pd membrane reactor

Combination of the reactions by means of membrane separation techniques are of interest. The CO2 methanation was combined with NH3 decomposition by in situ H-2 separation through a Pd membrane. The CO2 methanation reaction in the permeate side was found to significantly enhance the H-2 removal rate of Pd membrane compared to the use of sweep gas. The reaction rate of CO2 methanation was not influenced by H-2 supply through the Pd membrane in contrast to NH3 decomposition in the retentate side. However, the CH4 selectivity could be improved by using a membrane separation technique. This would be caused by the active dissociated H species which might immediately react with adsorbed CO species on the catalysts to CH4 before those CO species desorbed. From the reactor configuration tests, the countercurrent mode showed higher H-2 removal rate in the combined reaction at 673 K compared to the cocurrent mode but the reaction rate in CO2 methanation should be improved to maximize the perfomance of membrane reactor. Copyright (C) 2014, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.