CO, H2 or C3H8 assisted catalytic combustion of methane over supported LaMnO3 monoliths

The effect of the addition of a second fuel such as CO, C₃H₈ or H₂ on the catalytic combustion of methane was investigated over ceramic monoliths coated with LaMnO₃/La-γAl₂O₃ catalyst. Results of autothermal ignition of different binary fuel mixtures characterised by the same overall heating value show that the presence of a more reactive compound reduces the minimum pre-heating temperature necessary to burn methane. The effect is more pronounced for the addition of CO and very similar for C₃H₈ and H₂. Order of reactivity of the different fuels established in isothermal activity measurements was: CO>H₂≥C₃H₈>CH₄. Under autothermal conditions, nearly complete methane conversion is obtained with catalyst temperatures around 800 °C mainly through heterogeneous reactions, with about 60–70 ppm of unburned CH₄ when pure methane or CO/CH₄ mixtures are used. For H₂/CH₄ and C₃H₈/CH₄ mixtures, emissions of unburned methane are lower, probably due to the proceeding of CH₄ homogeneous oxidation promoted by H and OH radicals generated by propane and hydrogen pyrolysis at such relatively high temperatures.

Finally, a steady state multiplicity is found by decreasing the pre-heating temperature from the ignited state. This occurrence can be successfully employed to pilot the catalytic ignition of methane at temperatures close to compressor discharge or easily achieved in regenerative burners.     

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.     

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 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.     

The selective reduction of NOx with propene on Pt-beta catalyst: A transient study

The mechanism of the NO/C₃H₆/O₂ reaction has been studied on a Pt-beta catalyst using transient analysis techniques. This work has been designed to provide answers to the volcano-type activity behaviour of the catalytic system, for that reason, steady state transient switch (C₃H₆/NO/O₂ → C₃H₆/Ar/O₂, C₃H₆/Ar/O₂ → C₃H₆/NO/O₂, C₃H₆/NO/O₂ → Ar/NO/O₂, Ar/NO/O₂ → C₃H₆/NO/O₂, C₃H₆/NO/O₂ → C₃H₆/NO/Ar and C₃H₆/NO/Ar → C₃H₆/NO/O₂) and thermal programmed desorption (TPD) experiments were conducted below and above the temperature of the maximum activity (T_max). Below T_max, at 200 °C, a high proportion of adsorbed hydrocarbon exists on the catalyst surface. There exists a direct competition between NO and O₂ for Pt free sites which is very much in favour of NO, and therefore, NO reduction selectively takes place over hydrocarbon combustion. NO and C₃H₆ are involved in the generation of partially oxidised hydrocarbon species. O₂ is essential for the oxidation of these intermediates closing the catalytic cycle. NO₂ is not observed in the gas phase. Above T_max, at 230 °C, C₃H_6 ads coverage is negligible and the surface is mainly covered by O_ads produced by the dissociative adsorption of O₂. NO₂ is observed in gas phase and carbon deposits are formed at the catalyst surface. From these results, the state of Pt-beta catalyst at T_max is inferred. The reaction proceeds through the formation of partially oxidised active intermediates (C_xH_yO_zN_w) from C₃H_6 ads and NO_ads. The combustion of the intermediates with O₂(g) frees the Pt active sites so the reaction can continue. Temperature has a positive effect on the surface reaction producing active intermediates. On the contrary, formation of NO_ads and C₃H_6 ads are not favoured by an increase in temperature. Temperature has also a positive effect on the dissociation of O₂ to form O_ads, consequently, the formation of NO₂ is favoured by temperature through the oxygen dissociation. NO₂ is very reactive and produces the propene combustion without NO reduction. These facts will determine the maximum concentration of active intermediates and consequently the maximum of activity.     

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.     

SCR of NOx with CH3OH on H-mordenite: mechanism and reaction intermediates

The selective reduction of NO_x over H-mordenite (H-m) was studied using CH₃OH as reducing agent. Results are compared with those obtained with other conventional reducing agents (ethylene and methane), with gas-phase reactions, and with other metal-exchanged mordenites (Cu-mordenite (Cu-m) and Co-mordenite (Co-m)). H-m was found to be an effective catalyst for the SCR of NO_x with CH₃OH. When different reducing agents were compared over H-m, CH₃OH > C₂H₄ > CH₄ was the order according to the maximum NO conversion obtained using 1% of oxygen in the feed. Instead, if selectivity is considered, the order results CH₄ > CH₃OH > C₂H₄. In reaction experiments, two distinct zones defined by two maxima with NO to N₂ conversion are obtained at two different temperatures. A correlation exists between the said zones and the CO : CO₂ ratio. At low temperatures, CO prevails whereas at high temperatures CO₂ prevails. These results indicate that there exist different reaction intermediates. Evidence from reaction experiments, FTIR results, and transient experiments suggest that the reaction mechanism involves formaldehyde and dimethyl ether (DME) as intermediates in the 200–500°C temperature range. The surface interaction between CH₃OH (or its decomposition products) and NO is negligible if compared with NO₂, indicating that the oxidation of NO to NO₂ on acid sites is a fundamental path in this system. Different from other non-oxygenated reductants (methane and ethylene), a gas-phase NO_x initiation effect on hydrocarbon combustion was not observed.     

Free-radical reactions involved in C1-C3 hydrocarbons interaction with oxide catalysts

Experimental proofs of a free radical mechanism in methane oxidative coupling, with homolytic rupture of the C---H bond are given. High concentrations of free radical sites are produced by mechanical milling of SiO₂. A study of C₁---C₃alkanes interaction with these sites allows to simulate the, processes of alkanes oxidation and oxidative dehydrogenation. The reactivity of ethane and propane is higher than that of methane in accordance with the Polanyi-Semenov rule. Oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane is studied on Cd-containing zeolites. CH₄, C₂H₆ and C₃H₈ oxidative dehydrogenation by O₂ or CO₂ is studied on a MNO/SiO₂ catalyst. The initiation of radical reactions of hydrocarbons on Cl-containing catalysts proceeds via chlorine atoms generation.     

Non-oxidative reaction of CBrF3 with methane over NiZSM-5 and HZSM-5

Catalytic hydrodehalogenation of CBrF₃ with methane was studied over NiZSM-5 and HZSM-5 in tubular reactor between 573 and 873 K and at ambient pressure. It was found that the incorporation of nickel into HZSM-5 significantly enhanced the activity of the zeolite. A variety of products were formed during reaction, including CH₃Br, CHF₃, CH₂Br₂, C₂F₆, C₂H₄, C₂H₂, C₂H₂F₂, CHBrF₂, CH₂BrF, and C₂H₃Br. XRD analysis showed that these two zeolite catalysts did not suffer any loss in their crystallinity during use. Deactivation of both NiZSM-5 and HZSM-5 may, in part, be due to poisoning of the zeolite by halogens. Coking is another cause of the deactivation of HZSM-5, but appears to play a minor role in NiZSM-5 deactivation. A series of methylated silicone oils was detected during reaction over NiZSM-5.     

Catalytic oxidation of saturated hydrocarbons on multicomponent Au/Al2O3 catalysts: Effect of various promoters

The performance of unpromoted and MO_x-(M: alkali (earth), transition metal and cerium) promoted Au/Al₂O₃ catalysts have been studied for combustion of the saturated hydrocarbons methane and propane. As expected, higher temperatures are required to oxidize CH₄ (above 400 °C), compared with C₃H₈ (above 250 °C). The addition of various MO_x to Au/Al₂O₃ improves the catalytic activity in both methane and propane oxidation. For methane oxidation, the most efficient promoters to enhance the catalytic performance of Au/Al₂O₃ are FeO_x and MnO_x. For C₃H₈ oxidation a direct relationship is found between the catalytic performance and the average size of the gold particles in the presence of alkali (earth) metal oxides. The effect of the gold particle size becomes less important for additives of the type of transition metal oxides and ceria. The results suggest that the role of the alkali (earth) metal oxides is related to the stabilization of the gold nanoparticles, whereas transition metal oxide and ceria additives may be involved in oxygen activation.     

Kinetic studies of CH4 oxidation over Pt–NiO/δ-Al2O3 in a fluidised bed reactor

The oxidation of CH₄ over Pt–NiO/δ-Al₂O₃ has been studied in a fluidised bed reactor as part of a major project on an autothermal (combined oxidation–steam reforming) system for CH₄ conversion. The kinetic data were collected between 773 and 893 K and 101 kPa total pressure using CH₄ and O₂ compositions of 10–35% and 8–30%, respectively. Rate–temperature data were also obtained over alumina-supported monometallic catalysts, Pt and NiO. The bimetallic Pt–NiO system has a lower activation energy (80.8 kJ mol⁻¹) than either Pt (86.45 kJ mol⁻¹) and NiO (103.73 kJ mol⁻¹). The superior performance of the bimetallic catalyst was attributed to chemical synergy. The reaction rate over the Pt–NiO catalyst increased monotonically with CH₄ partial pressure but was inhibited by O₂. At low partial pressures (<30 kPa), H₂O has a detrimental effect on CH₄ conversion, whilst above 30 kPa, the rate increased dramatically with water content.     

Zeolite synthesis in the presence of flexible diquaternary alkylammonium ions (C2H5)3N(CH2)nN(C2H5)3 with n=3–10 as structure-directing agents

The use of flexible diquaternary alkylammonium ions (C₂H₅)₃N⁺(CH₂)_nN⁺(C₂H₅)₃ (Et₆-diquat-n with n=3–10) as structure-directing agents for zeolite synthesis in the presence of alkali metal cation is described. Among the organic structure-directing agents studied here, a considerable diversity in the phase selectivity was observed only for the Et₆-diquat-5 ion: this cation can produce five different zeolite structures (i.e., P1, SSZ-16, SUZ-4, ZSM-57, and mordenite), depending on the oxide composition of synthesis mixtures. Analysis of the variable-temperature ¹H CRAMPS NMR spectra obtained from the Et₆-diquat-5 molecules in these five zeolites reveals that the host–guest interactions occurring within the respective materials maintain in a manner different from one another even at 160 °C at which the zeolite hosts crystallize.     

Selective catalytic reduction of NO by C2H2 over MoO3/HZSM-5

Molybdenum impregnated HZSM-5 zeolite catalysts with MoO₃ loading from 1 to 8 wt.% were studied in detail for the selective catalytic reduction (C₂H₂-SCR) of NO by acetylene. A 83.9% of NO could be removed by the reductant at 350 °C under 1600 ppm of NO, 800 ppm of C₂H₂ and 9.95% of O₂ in He over 2%MoO₃/HZSM-5 catalyst with a specific activity of in NO elimination and the competitiveness factor (c.f.) of 33.6% for the reductant. The NO elimination level and the c.f. value were ca. 3–4 times as high as those using methane or propene as reductant over the catalyst in the same reaction condition. About same reaction rate was estimated in NO oxidation as that in the NO reduction over each xMoO₃/HZSM-5 (x = 0–8%) catalyst, which confirms that NO₂ is a crucial intermediate for the aimed reaction over the catalysts. Appropriate amount of Mo incorporation to HZSM-5 considerably enhanced the title reaction, both by accelerating the intermediate formation and by strengthening the adsorption NO_x on the catalyst surface under the reaction conditions. Rather lower adsorption tendency of acetylene compared with propene on the catalysts explains the catalyst's steady performance in the C₂H₂-SCR of NO and rapid deactivation in the C₃H₆-SCR of NO.     

Mechanistic evidence of the partial oxidation of methane to formaldehdye over silica based oxide catalysts by temperature programmed reaction studies

The catalytic behaviour of SiO₂ supported MoO₂ and V₂O₅ catalysts in the partial oxidation of methane to formaldehyde with O₂ (MPO) in the range 400–800°C has been investigated by temperature programmed reaction (TPR) tests. Both the sequence of the onset temperature of product formation and the product distribution patterns signal that MPO on silica based oxide catalysts occurs mainly via a consecutive reaction path: CH₄ → HCHO → CO → CO₂. At T >/ 700°C a parallel surface assisted gas-phase reaction pathway leads to the formation of minor amounts of C₂ products both on SiO₂ and MoO₃/SiO₂ catalysts. The redox properties of MoO₃/SiO₂ and V₂O₅SiO₂ catalysts have been systematically evaluated by H₂ and CH₄ temperature programmed reduction (H₂-TPR, CH₄-TPR) measurements. H₂-TPR results do not account for the reactivity scale of oxide catalysts in the MPO. CH₄-TPR measurements indicate that the enhancement in the specific activity of the silica is controlled by the capability of MoO₃ and V₂O₅ promoters in providing ‘active’ lattice oxygen species.     

Catalytic reduction of SO2 over supported transition-metal oxide catalysts with C2H4 as a reducing agent

This work investigates performances of supported transition-metal oxide catalysts for the catalytic reduction of SO₂ with C₂H₄ as a reducing agent. Experimental results indicate that the active species, the support, the feed ratio of C₂H₄/SO₂, and pretreatment are all important factors affecting catalyst activity. Fe₂O₃/γ-Al₂O₃ was found to be the most active catalyst among six γ-Al₂O₃-supported metal oxide catalysts tested. With Fe₂O₃ as the active species, of the supports tested, CeO₂ is the most suitable one. Using this Fe₂O₃/CeO₂ catalyst, we found that the optimal Fe content is 10 wt.%, the optimal feed ratio of C₂H₄/SO₂ is 1:1, and the catalyst presulfidized by H₂+H₂S exhibits a higher performance than those pretreated with H₂ or He. Although the feed concentrations of C₂H₄:SO₂ being 3000:3000 ppm provide a higher conversion of SO₂, the sulfur yield decreases drastically at temperatures above 300 °C. With higher feed concentrations, maximum yield appears at higher temperatures. The C₂H₄ temperature-programmed desorption (C₂H₄-TPD) and SO₂-TPD desorption patterns illustrate that Fe₂O₃/CeO₂ can adsorb and desorb C₂H₄ and SO₂ more easily than can Fe₂O₃/γ-Al₂O₃. Moreover, the SO₂-TPD patterns further show that Fe₂O₃/γ-Al₂O₃ is more seriously inhibited by SO₂. These findings may properly explain why Fe₂O₃/CeO₂ has a higher activity for the reduction of SO₂.     

Influence of metal oxides on the catalytic behavior of Au/Al2O3 for the selective reduction of NOx by hydrocarbons

The reduction of NO by propene in the presence of excess oxygen over mechanical mixtures of Au/Al₂O₃ with a bulk oxide has been investigated. The oxides studied were: Co₃O₄, Mn₂O₃, Cr₂O₃, CuO, Fe₂O₃, NiO, CeO₂, SnO₂, ZnO and V₂O₅. Under lean C₃H₆-SCR conditions, these oxides (with the exception of SnO₂) convert selectively NO to NO₂. When mechanically mixed with Au/Al₂O₃, the Mn₂O₃ and Co₃O₄ oxides and, to a much greater extent, CeO₂ act synergistically with this catalyst greatly enhancing its SCR performance. It was found that their synergistic action is not straightforwardly related to their activity for NO oxidation to NO₂. The exhibited catalytic synergy may be due to the operation of either remote control or a bifunctional mechanism. In the later case, the key intermediate must be a short-lived compound and not the NO₂ molecule in gas-phase.     

The effect of oxygen concentration on the reduction of NO with propylene over CuO/γ-Al2O3

The effect of oxygen concentration on the pulse and steady-state selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO with C₃H₆ over CuO/γ-Al₂O₃ has been studied by infrared spectroscopy (IR) coupled with mass spectroscopy studies. IR studies revealed that the pulse SCR occurred via (i) the oxidation of Cu⁰/Cu⁺ to Cu²⁺ by NO and O₂, (ii) the co-adsorption of NO/NO₂/O₂ to produce Cu²⁺(NO₃⁻)₂, and (iii) the reaction of Cu²⁺(NO₃⁻)₂ with C₃H₆ to produce N₂, CO₂, and H₂O. Increasing the O₂/NO ratio from 25.0 to 83.4 promotes the formation of NO₂ from gas phase oxidation of NO, resulting in a reactant mixture of NO/NO₂/O₂. This reactant mixture allows the formation of Cu²⁺(NO₃⁻)₂ and its reaction with the C₃H₆ to occur at a higher rate with a higher selectivity toward N₂ than the low O₂/NO flow. Both the high and low O₂/NO steady-state SCR reactions follow the same pathway, proceeding via adsorbed C₃H₇---NO₂, C₃H₇---ONO, CH₃COO⁻, Cu⁰---CN, and Cu⁺---NCO intermediates toward N₂, CO₂, and H₂O products. High O₂ concentration in the high O₂/NO SCR accelerates both the formation and destruction of adsorbates, resulting in their intensities similar to the low O₂/NO SCR at 523–698 K. High O₂ concentration in the reactant mixture resulted in a higher rate of destruction of the intermediates than low O₂ concentration at temperatures above 723 K.     

C2H6/C3H8影响CH4爆炸极限参数及动力学特性研究

为研究C₂H₆/C₃H₈对甲烷爆炸极限参数及动力学特性的影响,采用标准的可燃气体爆炸极限测定装置测定了不同配比的C₂H₆/C₃H₈混合气体对甲烷爆炸极限的影响规律,同时得出了氮气惰化条件下甲烷爆炸临界参数的变化规律。此外,利用Chemkin软件模拟了C₂H₆/C₃H₈混合气体对甲烷爆炸过程中中间产物浓度的影响情况,并进行了敏感性分析。结果表明,C₂H₆/C₃H₈的存在降低了甲烷的爆炸上下限,增大了甲烷的爆炸危险度;在氮气惰化过程中甲烷的爆炸上限下降,爆炸下限上升,最终爆炸上下限重合,重合点处甲烷浓度和氮气临界浓度均随C₂H₆/C₃H₈的添加而逐渐减小;此外,C₂H₆/C₃H₈混合气体使甲烷爆炸过程中CO和·H的生成量逐渐增大,而CO₂、·O和·OH的生成量则有下降趋势,通过对爆炸过程中甲烷体积的敏感性分析,发现C₂H₆/C₃H₈的存在在某种程度上促进了甲烷爆炸。对比不同配比的C₂H₆/C₃H₈混合气体,发现C₃H₈含量越高,其对甲烷爆炸过程中相关参数的影响越大,这可为工矿企业的安全生产提供一定的理论依据。     

Reactivity of steam in exhaust gas catalysis III. Steam and oxygen/steam conversions of propane on a Pd/Al2O3 catalyst

A 1% Pd catalyst (38% dispersion) was prepared by impregnating a γ-alumina with palladium acetylacetonate dissolved in acetone. The behaviour of this catalyst in oxidation and steam reforming (SR) of propane was investigated. Temperature-programmed reactions of C₃H₈ with O₂ or with O₂ + H₂O were carried out with different stoichiometric ratios S(S =[O₂]/5[C₃H₈]). The conversion profiles of C₃H₈ for the reaction carried out in substoichiometry of O₂ (S < 1) showed two discrete domains of conversion: oxidation at temperatures below 350°C and SR at temperatures above 350°C. The presence of steam in the inlet gases is not necessary for SR to occur: there is sufficient water produced in the oxidation to form H₂ and carbon oxides by this reaction. Contrary to what was observed with Pt, an apparent deactivation between 310 and 385°C could be observed with Pd in oxidation. This is due to a reduction of PdO_x into Pd⁰, which is much less active than the oxide in propane oxidation. Steam added to the reactants inhibits oxidation while it prevents the reduction of PdO_x into Pd⁰. Compared to Pt and to Rh, Pd has a higher thermal resistance: no deactivation occurred after treatment up to 700°C and limited deactivation after treatment up to 900°C, provided that the catalyst is maintained in an oxygen-rich atmosphere during the cooling.     

CH4/C2H6/C3H8在MOF-505@5GO上吸附相平衡和选择性

应用溶剂热法合成了不同氧化石墨烯（GO）负载量的MOF-505@GO复合材料,分别采用全自动表面积吸附仪、P-XRD、SEM和Raman对材料进行了性能表征,测定了CH₄、C₂H₆和C₃H₈在MOF-505@GO上的吸附等温线,并进行Langmuir-Freundlich方程拟合,依据IAST理论模型计算了C₂H₆/CH₄和C₃H₈/CH₄二元混合气在MOF-505@5GO上的吸附选择性。研究结果表明,随着GO负载量增大,MOF-505@GO复合材料的孔容及BET比表面积先增大后减小,当GO负载量为5%（质量）时,复合材料MOF-505@5GO的孔容及BET比表面积达到最大,当GO负载量进一步增大至8%（质量）和10%（质量）时,复合材料的孔容及BET比表面积逐渐降低。在0.1 MPa和298 K条件下,MOF-505@5GO对CH₄、C₂H₆和C₃H₈的吸附容量分别为0.88、4.81和5.17 mmol·g^-1,相比MOF-505分别提高了14.9%、30.7%和13.1%。MOF-505@5GO对C₂H₆/CH₄和C₃H₈/CH₄的吸附选择性分别为40.1和3056.1,其对C₂H₆/CH₄和C₃H₈/CH₄具有极高的吸附选择性。