Catalyst for methanation and method for the preparation thereof

A method for the preparation of a solid catalyst for the synthesis of methane from hydrogen and carbon monoxide which comprises the steps of

• (a) impregnating a porous catalyst carrier with a mixture or a composite oxide compound composed of a nickel oxide and a molybdenum oxide to give a catalyst intermediate, and
• (b) heating the catalyst intermediate in an atmosphere of a gaseous mixture comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide at a temperature in the range from 500.degree. to 700.degree. C. to convert the nickel and molybdenum ingredients to a binary active ingredient composed of an alloy of nickel and molybdenum and a molybdenum carbide supported on the porous catalyst carrier.

A method for the preparation of a solid catalyst for the synthesis of methane from hydrogen and carbon monoxide which comprises the steps of

• (a) impregnating a porous catalyst carrier with a mixture or a composite oxide compound composed of a nickel oxide and a molybdenum oxide to give a catalyst intermediate,
• (b) heating the catalyst intermediate in an atmosphere of hydrogen gas at a temperature in the range from 400.degree. to 700.degree. C. to reduce the oxides of nickel and molybdenum into metallic states, and
• (c) heating the catalyst intermediate bearing the nickel and molybdenum ingredients reduced to the metallic states in an atmosphere of a gaseous mixture comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide at a temperature in the range from 500.degree. to 700.degree. C. to convert the nickel and molybdenum ingredients to a binary active ingredient composed of an alloy of nickel and molybdenum and a molybdenum carbide supported on the porous catalyst carrier.