Oxidative coupling of methane in Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3−δ tubular membrane reactors

A dense membrane tube made of Ba_0.5Sr_0.5Co_0.8Fe_0.2O_3−δ (BSCF) was prepared by plastic extrusion from BSCF oxide synthesized by the complexing EDTA-citrate method. The membrane tube was used in a catalytic membrane reactor for oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) to C₂ without an additional catalyst. At high methane concentration (93%), about 62% C₂ selectivity was obtained, which is higher than that achieved in a conventional reactor using the BSCF as a catalyst. The dependence of the OCM reaction on temperature and methane concentration indicates that the C₂ selectivity in the BSCF membrane reactor is limited by high ion recombination rates. If an active OCM catalyst (La-Sr/CaO) was packed in the membrane tube, C₂ selectivity and CH₄ conversion increased compared to the blank run. The highest C₂ yield in the BSCF membrane reactor in presence of the La-Sr/CaO catalyst was about 15%, similar to that in a packed-bed reactor with the same catalyst under the same conditions. However, the ratio of C₂H₄/C₂H₆ in the membrane reactor was much higher than that in the packed-bed reactor, which is an advantage of the membrane reactor.     

The simultaneous activation of methane and carbon dioxide to C2 hydrocarbons under pulse corona plasma over La2O3/γ-Al2O3 catalyst

The pulse corona plasma has been used as an activation method for reaction of methane and carbon dioxide, the product was C₂ hydrocarbons and by-products were CO and H₂. Methane conversion and the yield of C₂ hydrocarbons were affected by the carbon dioxide concentration in the feed. The conversion of methane increased with increasing carbon dioxide concentration in the feed whereas the yield of C₂ hydrocarbons decreased. The synergism of La₂O₃/γ-Al₂O₃ and plasma gave methane conversion of 24.9% and C₂ hydrocarbons yield of 18.1% were obtained at the power input of plasma was 30 W. The distribution of C₂ hydrocarbons changed by using Pd-La₂O₃/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst, the major C₂ product was ethylene.     

Oxidative coupling of methane over CaO catalysts promoted with alkali and alkaline earth oxides

CaO catalysts promoted with various elements were examined systematically for the oxidative coupling of methane. 10 mol% Li⁺-CaO and 10 mol% Ba²⁺-CaO gave high C₂ yield (23 to 26% at 1023 to 1073 K for 10% Li⁺-CaO) under CH₄ and O₂ partial pressure of 2.8 and 1.4 kPa respectively. A three components catalyst, 10 mol% Li⁺-5 mol% Ba²⁺-CaO, was also found to be an effective catalyst, given that the reaction temperature to give the maximum C₂ yield was lower than those for the two components catalysts under the same reaction condition. Quenching the flow down stream the reactor improved C₂ yield.     

Oxidative coupling of methane in fluidized- and packed-fluidized-bed reactors

Oxidative coupling of methane to higher hydrocarbons (C₂₊) using NaOH/CaO and pure CaO as catalyst was studied in fluidized- and packed-fluidized-bed reactors at 700°C to 800°C, partial pressures of methane from 0.5 to 0.7 bar and oxygen from 0.05 to 0.25 bar and a total pressure of ca 1 bar; oxygen conversion amounted generally to 50 to 100 %. C₂₊ selectivity depends for both reactors markedly on temperature and oxygen partial pressure. The optimum temperature ranges between 750 and 800°C. Highest selectivities (ca 76 %) were achieved at the lowest oxygen partial pressure (ca 0.06 bar); maximum yields (ca 13.5 %), however, were obtained at an oxygen partial pressure of ca 0.14 bar. The application of the fluidized-bed reactor is more favourable than the packed-fluidized-bed reactor with respect to operability and C₂₊ selectivity.     

An investigation of the comparative reactivities of ethane and ethylene in the presence of oxygen over Li/MgO and Ca/Sm2O3 catalysts in relation to the oxidative coupling of methane.

In order to examine the importance of the further oxidation of the desired C₂ products in the oxidative coupling of methane, ethylene and ethane have been added to the feed (containing methane and oxygen) to a Li/MgO or Ca/Sm₂O₃ catalyst. The results of these measurements show that neither of these C₂ molecules is stable under these conditions with either of the catalysts. Additionally, the rates of the oxidation of ethane and of ethylene alone have been measured using a gradientless reactor for both catalysts as well as for a quartz bed. It was found that the Ca/Sm₂O₃ material had higher activities for the oxidation of C₂H₆ and C₂H₄ (and also of CH₄) than had the Li/MgO material. These higher activities result in a lower optimal reaction temperature for the oxidative coupling of methane and are (at least partially) responsible for the lower selectivity to C₂ products observed with the Ca/Sm₂O₃ catalyst compared to that with the Li/MgO catalyst.     

Kinetics of propylene epoxidation using H2 and O2 over a gold/mesoporous titanosilicate catalyst

The oxidation of propylene to propylene oxide (PO) with hydrogen–oxygen mixtures was studied on gold supported on the mesoporous titanium silicate, Ti-TUD. The catalyst gave stable activity at low conversions of propylene (<6%) and high selectivity to PO (>95%). Kinetic data were fit to a power-rate law and gave the following expression: r_PO = k(H₂)^0.54(O₂)^0.24(C₃H₆)^0.36. The fractional orders in hydrogen, oxygen, and propylene indicated that these reactants interacted with the catalyst to form species that led to the final PO product. The catalyst likely operated by the commonly accepted mechanism of hydrogen peroxide production on gold sites, and epoxidation on titanium centers. Carbon dioxide was formed primarily from further oxidation of PO rather than the oxidation of propylene, while water was produced from the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen.     

Support-induced promotional effects on the activity of automotive exhaust catalysts 1. The case of oxidation of light hydrocarbons (C2H4)

The kinetics of oxidation of a light hydrocarbon (C₂H₄) were studied on catalysts comprising of combinations of one of three metals, Pt, Pd or Rh supported on five different supports, that is, SiO₂, γ-Al₂O₃, ZrO₂ (8% Y₂O₃), TiO₂ or TiO₂ (W⁶⁺). Significant variation of turnover frequency with the carrier was observed, which cannot be explained by structure sensitivity considerations and is attributed to interactions between the metal crystallites and the carrier. The catalytic activity of these metal-support combinations was investigated over a wide range of partial pressures of ethylene and oxygen. In a separate set of experiments, the kinetics of C₂H₄ oxidation were also investigated on polycrystalline Rh films interfaced with ZrO₂ (8 mol% Y₂O₃) solid electrolyte in a galvanic cell of the type: C₂H₄, O₂, Rh/YSZ/Pt, air, during regular open-circuit conditions as well as under Non-Faradic Electrochemical Modification of Catalytic Activity (NEMCA), that is, closed-circuit conditions. Up to 100-fold increase in catalytic activity was observed by supplying O²⁻ ions to the catalyst surface via positive potential application to the catalyst. The observed kinetic behavior upon increasing catalyst potential parallels qualitatively the observed alteration of turnover frequency with variation of the support of the Rh crystallites.     

Chemistry of surface oxygen formed from N2O on ZSM-5 at moderate temperatures

Conversion of CH₄, C₂H₆, C₃H₈, benzene and their binary mixtures over H-NaZSM-5 catalyst in the presence of N₂O was studied. It was found that under experimental conditions methane alkylates benzene to give toluene and xylenes. Acidity of the catalyst had no effect on the reactivity of active oxygen formed from N₂O towards methane and benzene, but affected their secondary transformation. Acidic samples favored the reaction of aromatic ring methylation with methane whereas deep oxidation of CH₄ prevailed on NaHZSM-5. Based on the relative reactivities and ¹³C label distribution in the products of ¹³CH₄+C₆H₆+N₂O feed conversion, the scheme of hydrocarbon transformation was proposed.     

In situ IR and pulse reaction studies on the active oxygen species over SrF2/Nd2O3 catalyst for oxidative coupling of methane

Pulse reaction method and in situ IR spectroscopy were used to characterize the active oxygen species for oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) over SrF₂/Nd₂O₃ catalyst. It was found that OCM activity of the catalyst was very low in the absence of gas phase oxygen, which indicated that lattice oxygen species contributed little to the yield of C₂ hydrocarbons. IR band of superoxide species (O₂⁻) was detected on the O₂-preadsorbed SrF₂/Nd₂O₃. The substitution of ¹⁸O₂ isotope for ¹⁶O₂ caused the IR band of O₂⁻ at 1128 cm⁻¹ to shift to lower wavenumbers (1094 and 1062 cm⁻¹), consistent with the assignment of the spectra to the O₂⁻ species. A good correlation between the rate of disappearance of surface O₂⁻ and the rate of formation of gas phase C₂H₄ was observed upon interaction of CH₄ with O₂-preadsorbed catalyst at 700 °C. The O₂⁻ species was also observed on the catalyst under working condition. These results suggest that O₂⁻ species is the active oxygen species for OCM reaction on SrF₂/Nd₂O₃ catalyst.     

OCM in a fixed-bed reactor: limits and perspectives

The oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) over a La₂O₃/CaO catalyst was studied in a poly tropic fixed-bed reactor (I.D. = 15 mm, W/F= 0.15 g · s/ml). Reaction conditions for stable operation were determined. (1) A minimum inlet temperature of 580°C was necessary to initiate the reaction. (2) The maximum hot-spot temperature of 1000°C limited the highest oxygen inlet concentration to 20%. The temperature gradients in the bed amounted to 250 K. The influence of the reaction conditions on the C₂₊ selectivity was investigated by testing the effects of temperature (T_inlet = 580–860°C), oxygen concentration (C_O2 = 5–20%) and particle diameter (d_p = 250–350 μm, and pellets of h_p = 4 mm and d_p = 4 mm). The C₂₊ selectivity ran through a maximum with increasing temperature and decreased with rising inlet oxygen concentration. Mass-transfer limitations, which occurred when applying pellets, resulted in a drop of C₂₊ selectivity. Highest C₂₊ yields amounted to 15.5% (X_CH4 = 31%, S ₂₊ = 51%). Distributed feed of oxygen was tested as a means to cope with the high temperature gradients and to increase C₂₊. selectivity. Upon applying this mode of operation, oxygen concentrations up to 30% could be converted. However, no improvement of C₂₊ selectivity and yield compared to cofeed operation was achieved.     

Synthesis of C2H4 by partial oxidation of CH4 over LiCl/NiO

Alkali halide added transition metal oxides produced ethylene selectively in oxidative coupling of methane. The role of alkali halides has been investigated for LiCl-added NiO (LiCl/NiO). In the absence of LiCl the reaction over NiO produced only carbon oxides (CO₂ + CO). However, addition of LiCl drastically improved the yield of C₂ compounds (C₂H₆ + C₂H₄). One of the roles of LiCl is to inhibit the catalytic activity of the host NiO for deep oxidation of CH₄. The reaction catalyzed by the LiCl/NiO proceeds stepwise from CH₄ to C₂H₄ through C₂H₆ (2CH₄ → C₂H₆ → C₂H₄). The study on the oxidation of C₂H₆ over the LiCl/NiO showed that the oxidative dehydrogenation of C₂H₆ to C₂H₄ occurs very selectively, which is the main reason why partial oxidation of CH₄ over LiCl/NiO gives C₂H₄ quite selectively. The other role of LiCl is to prevent the host oxide (NiO) from being reduced by CH₄. The catalyst model under working conditions was suggested to be the NiO covered with molten LiCl. XPS studies suggested that the catalytically active species on the LiCl/NiO is a surface compound oxide which has higher valent nickel cations (Ni^(2+δ)+ or Ni³⁺). The catalyst was deactivated at the temperatures>973 K due to vaporization of LiCl and consumption of chlorine during reaction. The kinetic and CH₄---CD₄ exchange studies suggested that the rate-determining step of the reaction is the abstraction of H from the vibrationally excited methane by the molecular oxygen adsorbed on the surface compound oxide.     

Potassium–copper and potassium–cobalt catalysts supported on alumina for simultaneous NOx and soot removal from simulated diesel engine exhaust

This paper deals with the activity of bimetallic potassium–copper and potassium–cobalt catalysts supported on alumina for the reduction of NO_x with soot from simulated diesel engine exhaust. The effect of the reaction temperature, the soot/catalyst mass ratio and the presence of C₃H₆ has been studied. In addition, the behavior of two monometallic catalysts supported on zeolite beta (Co/beta and Cu/beta), previously used for NO_x reduction with C₃H₆, as well as a highly active HC-SCR catalyst (Pt/beta) has been tested for comparison. The preliminary results obtained in the absence of C₃H₆ indicate that, at temperatures between 250 and 400 °C, the use of bimetallic potassium catalysts notably increases the rate of NO_x reduction with soot evolving N₂ and CO₂ as main reaction products. At higher temperatures, the catalysts mainly favor the direct soot combustion with oxygen. In the presence of C₃H₆, an increase in the activity for NO_x reduction has been observed for the catalyst with the highest metal content. At 450 °C, the copper-based catalysts (Cu/beta and KCu2/Al₂O₃) show the highest activity for both NO_x reduction (to N₂ and CO₂) and soot consumption. The Pt/beta catalyst does not combine, at any temperature, a high NO_x reduction with a high soot consumption rate.     

Comparison between methane and propylene as reducing agents in the SCR of NO over Pd supported on tungstated zirconia

It is now well known that when Pd is supported on acidic supports, it becomes highly selective for the reduction of NO by methane in the presence of excess oxygen. It is also known that this promoting effect not only occurs with acidic zeolite supports, but also with acidic zirconia supports, such as sulfated zirconia (SZ) and tungstated zirconias (WZ). However, this promoting effect has not been investigated for the SCR with other hydrocarbons as reducing agents. In this contribution, we have investigated the behavior of a series of Pd/WZ catalysts and compared them using methane and propylene as reducing agents. The results show some important differences when the reducing agent is changed. For example, while with CH₄ the addition of W to the catalyst results in an increase in both NO and hydrocarbon conversion, with C₃H₆ it results in a decrease in activity. At the same time, while the presence of NO accelerates the activation of CH₄, it inhibits the activation of C₃H₆, moving its light-off to higher temperatures. Finally, an important difference between CH₄ and C₃H₆ as reducing agents is regarding the selectivity towards N₂ as opposed to N₂O. Using CH₄ resulted in much lower production of N₂O than using C₃H₆, over the entire temperature range investigated.     

Effect of transport limitations on C2+ selectivity in the oxidative methane coupling reaction using a NaOH/CaO catalyst

The dependence of C₂₊ selectivity on oxygen conversion (20 to 95%) and on particle size (0.2 mm, 1.2 mm, 4×4 mm) of the catalyst, i.e. under conditions of mass transport limitation during the oxidative coupling of methane on a NaOH/CaO catalyst was experimentally studied at three temperatures (953, 983, 1013 K) and at a partial pressure of oxygen of 0.075 bar and of methane of 0.7 bar. A kinetic reaction scheme was derived for which the overall kinetic parameters were reported. Reaction engineering calculations with respect to the particle size effect, taking into account transport phenomena, are presented and compared with experimental evidence.     

载体对Li-Mn氧化物催化甲烷氧化偶联反应作用

采用浸渍法制备不同金属氧化物载体负载的Li-Mn/MO_x(M=Mg,La,Ti,Si,Zr,Ta)催化剂,对其甲烷氧化偶联反应活性进行评价。结果表明,以TiO_2为载体制备的Li-Mn/TiO_2催化剂具有较高的CH_4转化率和C2烃选择性,C_2烃产率显著提高,金属氧化物TiO_2是Li-Mn复合氧化物的优良催化剂载体。n(Li)∶n(Mn)=1.0∶2.0形成的Li-Mn/TiO_2催化剂具有最高的CH_4转化率和C_2烃选择性,n(C_2H_4)∶n(C_2H_6)的增加有助于提高反应产物中C_2H_4的相对浓度,W元素的添加未能进一步提高Li-Mn/TiO_2催化剂的催化活性。Li-Mn/TiO_2催化剂在n(Li)∶n(Mn)=1.0∶2.0、反应温度775℃、反应压力0.1 MPa、V(CH_4)∶V(O_2)=2.5、空速7 200 m L·(h·g)~(-1)和催化剂用量0.5 g条件下,CH_4转化率达31.9%,C_2选择性达52.7%,表现出最佳催化效果。     

Methanol formation from methane partial oxidation in CH4–O2–NO gaseous phase at atmospheric pressure

The reaction condition for high yield of methanol in a gaseous reaction between methane and oxygen in the presence of NO at atmospheric pressure was explored. Methane partial oxidation without NO (CH₄–O₂) gave only 1% conversion of methane at 966 K. The addition of NO led to a remarkable increase in methane conversion and to high selectivity to C₁-oxygenates. The conversion of methane attained 10% at 808 K in the presence of NO (0.5%) where the selectivities to methanol and formaldehyde were 22.1 and 24.1%, respectively. Nitromethane and carbon oxides were also observed in the product gas. The amount of nitromethane was almost equal and/or near to that of initial NO. The carbon monoxide produced was several times higher than carbon dioxide. Influences of NO concentration, ratio of methane to oxygen, water vapor, and dilution with helium gas on product distribution were measured. Low concentration of NO (0.35–0.55%) was favorable for methanol formation. High selectivity to methanol was obtained at low value of the ratio of methane to oxygen (2.0–3.0) or low concentration of dilution gas (<16%). The NO₂ added promoted methane partial oxidation and selectivity to methanol. Therefore, it was assured that NO_x promoted the formation of CH₃√ and CH₃O√ in the gas phase reaction for CH₄–O₂–NO.     

Catalytic decomposition of light alkanes, alkenes and acetylene over Ni/SiO2

The decomposition of different hydrocarbons (CH₄, C₂H₆, C₂H₄, C₂H₂, C₃H₈, and C₃H₆) over Ni (5 wt.%)/SiO₂ catalysts was carried out. The initial rates of decomposition of the hydrocarbons, the kinetic curves of the decomposition and the kinetic curves of the hydrogenation of deposited carbon into methane depended on the types of hydrocarbons. In addition, the catalytic life of the Ni/SiO₂ catalyst was also dependent on the types of hydrocarbons, i.e. the life was longer according to the order, alkanes>alkenesacetylene.

The carbons deposited on the catalyst were characterized by SEM and Raman spectroscopy. The appearances of the deposited carbons were different among alkanes, alkenes, and acetylene, i.e. a zigzag fiber structure from methane, and a rolled fiber structure from alkenes and acetylene. From Raman spectra of the deposited carbons, it was found that the degree of graphitization of deposited carbon was higher in the order, alkanes>alkenes>acetylene. These results suggest that the mechanism of decomposition of hydrocarbons and the growth mechanism of carbon fibers on the catalyst were different among alkanes, alkenes and acetylene.     

Partial oxidation of methane to synthesis gas over iridium–nickel bimetallic catalysts

Partial oxidation of methane to synthesis gas was carried out using supported iridium–nickel bimetallic catalysts, in order to reduce loading levels of iridium and nickel, and to avoid carbon deposition on nickel-based catalysts by adding iridium. The performance of supported iridium–nickel bimetallic catalysts in synthesis gas formation depended strongly upon the support materials. La₂O₃ gave the best performance among the support materials tested. Ir(0.25 wt%)–Ni(0.5 wt%)/La₂O₃ afforded 36% conversion of methane (CH₄/O₂=5) to give CO and H₂ with the selectivities of above 90% at 800°C, and those at 600°C were 25.3% conversion of methane and CO and H₂ selectivities of about 80%, respectively. Reduced monometallic Ir(0.25 wt%)/La₂O₃ and Ni(0.5 wt%)/La₂O₃ catalysts did not produce synthesis gas at 600°C. A higher conversion of methane was obtained by synergistic effects. The product concentrations of CO, H₂, and CO₂, and CH₄ conversion were maintained in high values, even increasing the space velocity of feed gas over Ir–Ni/La₂O₃ catalyst, indicating that rapid reaction takes place. As a by-product, a small amount of carbon deposition was observed, but carbon formation decreased with increasing the space velocity. On the other hand, with reduced monometallic Ni(10 wt%)/La₂O₃ catalyst, yield of synthesis gas and carbon decreased with increasing the space velocity.     

A comparative study of coprecipitated BaCO3/La2On(CO3)rn catalysts for the oxidative coupling of methane

Coprecipitated catalyst systems containing BaCO₃ and La₂O_n(CO₃)_m (n≥1.5) with La/Ba = 0.05-10 were tested for catalytic activity, selectivity and stability in the oxidative coupling of methane reaction (OCM). Maximum C₂⁺ selectivities of 78% and C₂⁺ yields of 11% were obtained. The results show that La is the more active cation component of the system. The presence of BaCO₃ in the system leads to decreasing crystal size of the La phases, and to higher C₂⁺ selectivities at equal methane conversions. Life time tests showed that the Ba- La-containing catalysts were quite stable. Na impurities in the system lead to larger crystals in the La phases, and to less selective and less stable catalysts for the OCM reaction. Na is lost during reaction.     

The homogeneous gas phase oxidation of methane and the retarding effect of basic/inert surfaces

The homogeneous gas phase O₂-based oxidation of methane was studied in the temperature range, from 500°C to 750°C at methane partial pressures ranging from 3 bar to 40 bar. At the lower end of the temperature range methanol, formaldehyde, and CO represent the main products, while at temperatures exceeding 650° C/C-coupled products, C₂H₆, C₂H₄, C₃H₆ and C₃H₈ predominate. The change in selectivity as function of the temperature is well explained based on a free radical chain mechanism with degenerate branching, initiated by the gas phase reaction, CH₄+O₂→CH^·₃+HO^·₂. Bringing in basic catalysts known to catalyze the system at low methane partial pressures, in the reactor e.g. SrCO₃, BaCO₃, and 7% Li/MgO resulted in reduced rates of methane and oxygen conversions, and only minor changes in the selectivity to coupled products were observed.