Effects of Mo2C loading and H2S concentration on Mo2C/Al2O3 catalyst applied in sulfur-resistant methanation

Mo 2 C/Al 2 O 3 catalyst was prepared by the impregnation method with urotropine and ammonium paramolybdate. The catalytic effect of Mo 2 C as a typical transition-metal carbide in sulfur-resistant methanation was studied. The catalysts prepared were characterized by N 2 adsorption–desorption, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, H 2 -temperature-programmed reduction, and Raman spectra, with the results confirming the formation of β-molybdenum carbide on the surface of the catalysts. Studies on catalysts with different loading doses indicate that the optimal loading of Mo 2 C/Al 2 O 3 is about 15 wt.%, which enables CO conversion rate of up to 47%, with methane selectivity of up to 53%. This work further explored the effect of different concentrations of H 2 S in the raw gas on the performance of the catalyst, with the results showing that high concentration of H 2 S (>1500 ppm) can lead to sulfuration of active species on the catalyst, while resulting in a decrease in the catalytic activity.