Methanation technology selected for new coal to LNG plant

Inner Mongolia Lianhe Energy Co. Ltd has entered into a contract with Johnson Matthey Process Technologies (JMPT) for the supply of methanation technology licence, engineering, catalysts and technical services for a new coal to chemicals plant. The plant, to be located in Baotou in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in China, will produce LNG from syngas generated from gasification of coal.

The new plant, expected to be operational in 2017, will use Johnson Matthey’s proprietary methanation process technology. The technology converts carbon oxides and hydrogen to methane, which can be exported by pipeline as substitute natural gas (SNG) or LNG for export by tanker.LNG is an important part of the energy picture in China because it provides a clean-burning fuel suitable for domestic use that can be conveniently transported. This replaces less convenient fuels such as coal or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and will make a significant contribution to reducing air pollution as well as increasing the security of energy supply to major Chinese cities.

JMPT continues to support the Chinese energy industry with this latest project, which follows several other successful applications of Cryogenics Group technology in China in the last few years. The first of these plants are already operational and successfully supplying SNG to Chinese cities such as Beijing.

Adapted from press release by Francesca Brindle

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/gas-processing/11112015/methanation-technology-chosen-for-coal-to-lng-plant-1720/