Methanation of carbon monoxide catalyzed by ruthenium and ruthenium alloys supported on zeolites

Vita.The catalytic activity of supported ruthenium and a series of supported ruthenium-nickel and ruthenium-copper alloys were investigated for the reaction of carbon monoxide with hydrogen to form methane. Kinetic data were determined for the reaction using a closed recirculating reactor and a differential flow reactor. The metallic phase of the catalysts was characterized using hydrogen and carbon monoxide chemisorption, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The catalytic activity of reduced ruthenium in a Y-type zeolite was comparable to alumina-supported ruthenium, while the activity determined for the nickel was much lower for the zeolite than the metal supported on alumina. At a loading of 0.5% ruthenium to copper atomic ratios of 5:1, 3:1, 1:1, and 1:6.5. At the same ruthenium loading, nickel was exchanged into the zeolite to yield ruthenium to nickel atomic ratios of 4:1, 1:1, 1:4, 1:7