CATALYTIC PARTIAL OXIDATION OF METHANE TO SYNTHESIS GAS IN A CERAMIC MEMBRANE REACTOR

Methane has been selectively converted to synthesis gas using a two-zo ne fixed bed of a Ni/Al2O3 catalyst inside a modified ceramic membrane . The first zone of the reactor was surrounded by an impervious wall, and therefore behaved as a conventional fixed bed reactor. In the seco nd zone, some of the reaction products could preferentially diffuse ou t of the reactor, which yielded higher than equilibrium methane conver sions. The influence of the different operating conditions has been st udied, and the performance of the membrane reactor has been compared t o that of a fixed bed reactor. The membrane reactor has also been used at pressures above atmospheric (2 bar), with good conversions and sel ectivities.