(461h) K2o/WOx/Al2O3 Catalyst Interactions with the Components and Byproducts of Sour Natural Gas

Both CO₂ and H₂S acid gases are present in significant concentrations in natural â??sourâ? gas streams and need to be separated using energy intensive amine absorption methods. The captured CO₂ is emitted into the atmosphere acting as a major greenhouse gas while H₂S is combusted to yield elemental sulfur and water. A recent development proposed focuses on catalytic transformation of CO₂ and H₂S under reducing environments on K₂O-WO₃/Al₂O₃ catalyst to form a reactive methyl mercaptan (CH₃SH) intermediate that can be further converted to value-added hydrocarbons (alkanes, olefins and aromatics) and H₂S thus performing solventless separation and valorization of CO₂. The major problem and emphasis of this presentation is on the first reactive step. A fundamental knowledge base of acid gases - CO₂ and H₂S as well as they major reaction byproduct SO₂ - induced K₂O-WO₃/Al₂O₃ catalyst structural changes and the corresponding reactive intermediates and gas phase product distribution are being investigated. In particular, prediction and control of the CO₂ and H₂S molecular interactions, the relevant catalyst structural changes and surface chemistry are examined with in situ Raman, IR spectroscopy and TPSR to assess the performance of this catalyst to facilitate discovery of novel catalytic materials that can function in the presence of acid gases for CH₃SH synthesis.