TANAKA launches sulfur‑resistant MOC1‑30 methane catalyst

TANAKA Precious Metal Technologies Co., Ltd., a Japanese firm, announced the MOC1‑30 series methane oxidation catalyst. The catalyst is designed for gas engines running on natural or city gas and retains high performance in the presence of sulfur, a common cause of catalyst deactivation. Tests showed more than 80 % methane conversion after 1,000 hours of continuous operation at 350 °C, and about 90 % conversion after 100 hours at 400 °C, even with sulfur‑containing exhaust.

Methane (CH₄) has roughly 25 times the warming effect of CO₂, so reducing its emissions from marine and stationary gas engines is a growing regulatory priority. The MOC1‑30 catalyst also prevents platinum particle sintering and can be recycled after use, offering potential cost savings and reduced need for separate desulfurisation systems. TANAKA plans to market the technology for marine engines, emergency power units, and distributed power generation.