PARTIAL OXIDATION OF METHANE INTO FORMALDEHYDE ON A CATALYSIS-SEPARATION REACTOR

The use of a catalysis-separation reactor and the addition of vapour w ill promote the partial oxidation of methane into formaldehyde. The si ngle-pass yield of CH2O can arrive at 20.5%. This result is much bette r than those obtained on the supported solid catalysts. When industria lly pure oxygen is selected as an oxidant in the reaction, the reactio n exit gases cannot only act as the good combustive gases, but can als o be used cyclically in the reaction. However, the concentration of th e produced CH2O is very low, about 0.5-1.0 wt%, due to the addition of vapour in the process of reaction. By using the extraction agent, 1-o ctanol solidified on active C, the produced dilute CH2O can be effecti vely condensed. The efficiency of extraction can reach 34%. The method provides a possibility for an industrial application of the reaction. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.