A 1000 h stability test was carried out on the sulphur-resistant methanation catalyst 3411 using raw coal gas from a Lurgi gasifier as the feed gas. The decreasing percentages of CO conversion (X(CO)), CO conversion rate (R(CO)) and CH4 formation rate (R(CH4)) per 1000 h were < 2%. Selectivity to methane remained at approximately 56% throughout the tests. The catalyst had a good ability to bear poisons, and could adapt to raw coal gases with a wide range of H2S content. The relationship between activity and H2S concentration was ln X(CO) proportional 0.07 ln[H2S]. Under conditions of 2.8 MPa, 700 h-1 and with the temperature of the sand bath at 378-degrees-C the mean values of activity and selectivity were X(CO) = 75%, X(H-2) = 66%, X(CO + H-2) = 69%, R(CO) = 129 m3 h-1 m-3 cat., R(CH4) = 73 m-3 h-1 m-3 cat. and S(CH4) = 56%. The product gas contained approximately 8% CO with a heating value of approximately 13 MJ m-3.
