METHANE PROCESSING UNDER MICROWAVE-RADIATION - RECENT FINDINGS AND PROBLEMS

Microwave-driven transformations of methane and methane-containing mix tures in the presence of microwave-absorbing objects have been investi gated. Application of pulse microwave (MW) power is shown to be a prom ising way for the production of hydrogen, syngas, acetylene and filame nt carbon. The influence of catalyst nature, MW-power and contact time on the reaction rate is analyzed. Two pathways for the studied reacti ons are found - a direct MW-heating of the whole catalyst (or its acti ve centers) and a gas discharge near the rough catalyst surface. (C) 1 998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.