Abstract: The invention involves the synergistic effect of the specific catalytic constituents on a specific series of carriers for the methanation of carbon monoxide in the presence of sulfur at relatively high temperatures and at low steam to gas ratios in the range of 0.2:1 or less. This effect was obtained with catalysts comprising the mixed sulfides and oxides of nickel and chromium supported on carriers comprising magnesium aluminate and magnesium silicate. Conversion of carbon monoxide to methane was in the range of from 40 to 80%. Tests of this combination of metal oxides and sulfides on other carriers and tests of other metal oxides and sulfides on the same carrier produced a much lower level of conversion.

Abstract: A methanol synthesis catalyst which comprises a major portion by weight of the oxides of copper and zinc and a minor portion by weight of a thermal stabilizing metal oxide is useful for the synthesis of methanol from the oxides of carbon and hydrogen at relatively low temperatures. The catalyst is characterized in that the ratio of copper oxide to zinc oxide, each expressed as a metal by weight, is in the range of from 2:1 to 3.5:1 and by the intimate association with each other of copper and zinc oxides and with said thermal stabilizing oxide. Further, the catalyst is characterized in that the amount of iron oxides, as an impurity, is less than 150 parts per million.

Abstract: A process for the conversion of carbon monoxide in synthesis gas mixtures to hydrogen and CO.sub.2 utilizes a catalyst which is active in the presence of sulfur compounds, and which comprises the oxides or sulfides of cobalt and molybdenum, supported on a shaped, relatively high surface area aluminous carrier. The carrier is stabilized by admixture with one or more rare earth metal oxides while the alumina is in the hydrated condition. The mixture of hydrated alumina and rare earth metal oxide is formed into a desired shape and calcined to convert the hydrated alumina to the oxide. Thereafter, the calcined, high surface area alumina is impregnated with the desired salts of cobalt and molybdenum and the impregnated catalyst is thereafter calcined and placed into service. The stabilized catalyst exhibits good activity at relatively low temperatures with synthesis gas mixtures containing sulfur compounds and retains its surface area and the aluminous carrier is not converted over to the alpha phase.

Abstract: A catalyst for the conversion of carbon monoxide in synthesis gas mixtures to hydrogen and CO.sub.2 and which is active in the presence of sulfur compounds, comprises the oxides or sulfides of cobalt and molybdenum, supported on a shaped, relatively high surface area aluminous carrier. The carrier is stabilized by admixture with one or more rare earth metal oxides while the alumina is in the hydrated condition. The mixture of hydrated alumina and rare earth metal oxide is formed into a desired shape and calcined to convert the hydrated alumina to the oxide. Thereafter, the calcined, high surface area alumina is impregnated with the desired salts of cobalt and molybdenum and the impregnated catalyst is thereafter calcined and placed into service. The stabilized catalyst exhibits good activity at relatively low temperatures with synthesis gas mixtures containing sulfur compounds and retains its surface area and the aluminous carrier is not converted over to the alpha phase.

Abstract: A process is provided for the catalytic enrichment of a gas having a low BTU level and which has been derived from the gasification of coal and which has been scrubbed for removal of impurities and for the partial removal of carbon dioxide. The process involves the catalytic methanation of hydrogen and carbon oxides over a highly active catalyst in multiple stages to produce methane and steam. The cold scrubbed feed gas is brought up to reaction temperature by heat exchange with recycled product gas from the first stage of methanation, which in admixture with said feed gas acts additionally to modify the composition of said feed gas to bring it outside of the carbon forming range at the outlet of the reactor and to supply steam to said feed gas to prevent carbon deposition on to the catalyst and to absorb the heat of reaction. The enriched product gas after removal of water is interchangeable with natural gas and is of pipeline quality.