CONVERSION OF METHANE TO HIGHER ALKANES BY RUTHENIUM LOADED ZR-3(PO4)(4)

Methane conversion to higher hydrocarbons at temperatures ranging from 100 to 400 degrees C was studied on ruthenium loaded zirconium phosph ate 'Zr-3(PO4)(4)' using a two-step reaction procedure. During the fir st step, the catalyst was exposed to a flow of pure methane in order t o deposit carbonaceous species on its surface. During the second step, after interrupting the methane flow, the surface species were submitt ed to a continuous flow of hydrogen. Hydrocarbons ranging from C-2 to C-5 were observed to evolve. Their distribution as the reaction temper ature was raised, varied in favour of the heaviest ones, Of the three loaded supports Al2O3, AlPO4, Zr-3(PO4)(4) investigated under similar conditions, zirconium phosphate exhibited the best activity per gram o f metal. However, expressed per unit of ruthenium surface area, the ac tivities were found to decrease as the metal dispersion increased what ever be the support.