The product is designed to remove methane (CH4) from the exhaust emissions of gas engines powered by fuels such as natural gas and city gas. Since methane has a greenhouse effect approximately 25 times greater than carbon dioxide (CO2), reducing these emissions have become a growing priority worldwide. This methane oxidation catalyst addresses the long-standing challenge of sulfur-induced catalyst deactivation and maintains more than 80% methane conversion even after 1,000 hours of continuous operation at an inlet gas temperature of 350?.

Background to Development

In recent years, the growing adoption of natural gas-powered generation systems and marine vessels, together with increasingly stringent emission regulations, has accelerated demand for technologies that further reduce methane emissions. Because methane has a significantly greater greenhouse effect than CO2, reducing methane emissions has become an important global climate priority, driving the need for more advanced methane abatement technologies.

Meanwhile, gases derived from liquefied natural gas (LNG) and odorants*1 often contain sulfur, and conventional methane oxidation catalysts faced the challenge of reduced catalytic activity due to the influence of sulfur. Furthermore, platinum (Pt) particles, which serve as the active sites for catalytic reactions, undergo sintering under high temperature operating conditions, resulting in reduced catalytic performance. In addition, desulfurization systems are commonly used to remove sulfur compounds. However, complete sulfur removal is difficult to achieve, and even trace amounts of sulfur can contribute to catalyst degradation.

Therefore, there was a need to develop a methane oxidation catalyst that limits the reduction in catalytic performance and can maintain stable performance even in the presence of sulfur and under high-temperature environments.

Features of Technology Developed in this Product

Using a proprietary technology, TANAKA’s MOC1-30 methane oxidation catalyst converts sulfur adsorbed on the catalyst surface into sulfur trioxide (SO3) while maintaining the bonding between Pt particles and the catalyst support. This suppresses the inhibition of reactions caused by sulfur and the agglomeration of Pt particles, preventing a reduction in catalytic performance, thereby maintaining stable catalytic activity for an extended period.

In addition, TANAKA has established an integrated system covering the entire value chain, from procurement and material development to manufacturing, sales, and recycling. The MOC1-30 series is also compatible with precious metal recycling after use. Leveraging its unique capability across the entire catalyst value chain, from precious metal material development to catalyst design and manufacturing, TANAKA aims to introduce this solution to the global market to help reduce environmental impact while supporting resource circularity.

Press Release: https://www.acnnewswire.com/docs/files/20260804_EN.pdf