CSIRO, Division of Coal and Energy Technology, Lucas Heights Research Laboratory, Private Mail Bag 7, Menai, NSW 2234, Australia
Abstract:
Potential catalysts for the partial oxidation of methane to methanol have been synthesised and tested in high pressure annular reactors. Uranium oxide and molybdenum oxide catalysts and iron sodalite catalyst have been tested under the conditions reported in the patents and under conditions which allow comparison with reactions carried out in the gas phase. None of the catalysts tested showed an improvement on the gas phase results. It was found that the oxidative nature of the metal oxide catalysts is an inherent feature which reduces the selectivity to methanol.