Haldor Topsoe A/s

Haldor Torsoe A/s

Ib Greve Jorgensen

Jens R Rostrup-Nielsen

Karsten Pedersen

Kjeld J Andersen

A gas rich in methane is prepared by the methanantion of a synthesis gas containing carbon oxides, hydrogen and optionally other gases in the presence of one or more gaseous sulphur compounds, normally in an amount of at least 10 ppm preferably at least 200 ppm by volume, calculated as H.sub.2 S, with the aid of a catalyst comprising vanadium and/or molybdenum, which during the process is present as one or more sulphides, on a support comprising titanium dioxide. A high activity and a high selectivity for methane are obtained. A further advantage is that, by far, the main constituent of the higher hydrocarbons formed is ethane, which, by conversion into ethylene, is an important raw material in petrochemical synthesis. The selectivity for methane formation may be further improved by promoting the catalyst with compounds, especially sulphides of metals of groups IA, IIA and/or IIIB, particularly cerium. The invention also relates to the catalyst itself which may be prepared by impregnation or coprecipitation techniques.

Process and catalyst for the preparation of a gas mixture having a high

A gas mixture rich in ethan and/or ethylene is prepared by the conversion of a synthesis gas mixture containing hydrogen, carbon oxides and, optionally, other gases in the presence of one or more gaseous sulphur compounds, in an amount of at least 10 ppm by volume, preferably at least 200 ppm, calculated as H.sub.2 S, utilizing a catalyst consisting of one or more metals of group V-B and/or VI-B of the Periodic Table of Elements, preferably molybdenum and/or vanadium, together with one or more iron group metals each metal being in the form of free metal, oxide, or sulphide, the catalyst being supported on a porous, refractory oxidic support containing titanium dioxide. There is achieved a high activity and notably a high selectivity for the formation of ethane/ethylene, small amounts of propane, not insignificant amounts of methane and almost full suppression of the formation of higher hydrocarbons. The invention also relates to the catalyst prepared by impregnation or coprecipitation techniques.

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Bloustrod, Denmark

Ib Greve Jorgensen