Abstract:
This invention relates to a process for the methanation of scrubbed raw gases containing a concentration of carbon monoxide in excess of 3 mole percent and a methane concentration of less than 25 mole percent which comprises reacting a part of the carbon monoxide contained in the raw gases in the presence of an effective amount of at least one steam reforming catalyst contained in a fixed bed, substantially adiabatic reactor with steam, water, or a steam and water mixture provided directly to the reaction zone to effect the shift conversion of a part of the carbon monoxide according to the equation CO + H. sub. 2 O = C0. sub. 2 + H. sub. 2 and simultaneously to effect methanation of the remaining carbon monoxide with hydrogen up to the equilibrium point of the equation CO + 3H. sub. 2 = CH. sub. 4 + H. sub. 2 O the amount of steam, water, or steam and water mixture being sufficient to maintain the temperature of the reactants below that at which cracking of the methane product in the methanation reaction can take place.