Abstract

ii

I.

Summary

1

II

Introduction

4

Background

4

COthane Process

4

COthane Program

11

III

Mini PDU Runs without reactive diluents

13

Description of unit

13

Heat Dissipation

17

Reaction zone lengths

18

Methane production rates

24

CO Utilizations

26

Steam utilizations

26

Ancillary Reactions

28

IV

Mini PDU runs with reactive diluents

32

V

Catalyst Development

41

Catalyst Screening Unit

41

Catalyst Development – Nickel/Matrix

46

Catalyst Development – Binder/Dopant

63

VI

Reactor Studies

68

Heat Effects in Adiabatic packed bed reactors

72

Heat effects in a cooled packed bed tubular reactor

80

Heat Effects in a fluidized bed reactor

83

VII

Economic Studies

85

Preliminary Economic Study

85

Final Economic Study

86

Market Surveys

104

VIII

Future Effort

105

IX

Bibliography

106

Appendix I

109

Appendix II

110