THE USE OF CARBON CATALYSTS AND OF NITROUS-OXIDE IN PROMOTING THE CONVERSION OF METHANE

Authors
Citation
M. Bajus et Mh. Back, THE USE OF CARBON CATALYSTS AND OF NITROUS-OXIDE IN PROMOTING THE CONVERSION OF METHANE, Applied catalysis. A, General, 128(1), 1995, pp. 61-77
Citations number
18
Categorie Soggetti
Chemistry Physical","Environmental Sciences
ISSN journal
0926860X
Volume
128
Issue
1
Year of publication
1995
Pages
61 - 77
Database
ISI
SICI code
0926-860X(1995)128:1<61:TUOCCA>2.0.ZU;2-Y
Abstract
This paper reports on the coupling of methane to C-2 and higher hydroc arbons over a carbon catalyst in the absence and presence of nitrous o xide and a lithium-promoted carbon catalyst in the absence and presenc e of nitrous oxide. The kinetics of the methane conversion were studie d in a flow system over the temperature range 700-1100 degrees C. At 8 50 degrees C the conversion of methane was increased by a factor of ab out 800 in the presence of the carbon catalyst. The selectivity to C-2 hydrocarbons was, however, low and the main products were hydrogen an d carbon. The Li/carbon catalyst was similarly effective and led to a better selectivity for C-2 hydrocarbons. Nitrous oxide had a strong pr omoting effect on the homogeneous coupling of methane but a less notic eable effect in the presence of the catalysts. Nitrous oxide improved the selectivity to C-2 hydrocarbons. Under the conditions of the prese nt experiments the carbon-lithium oxide catalyst is able to facilitate the oxidative coupling of methane to give 36% conversion with selecti vity to C-2 hydrocarbons over 70%.