THE CATALYTIC OXIDATIVE COUPLING OF METHANE .2. AXIAL GAS SAMPLE PROBING IN A BUBBLING FLUIDIZED-BED REACTOR AND THE EFFECT OF SIDE REACTIONS

The atmospheric pressure catalytic oxidative coupling of methane was s tudied in detail by axial gas concentration probing experiments in a 6 0 mm OD bubbling fluidised-bed reactor system. Experimental data demon strated a very fast reaction which occurred within the vicinity of the distributor (normally in the first 5 mm of bed height) under normal r eaction conditions of 850 degrees C and 83 vol%/17 vol% CH4/O-2 feed. The data also showed that hydrocarbon selectivity was deleteriously af fected by side reactions which were also promoted by the catalysts eve n though they were good catalysts for the oxidative coupling reaction. If this reduction in hydrocarbon selectivity is inevitable then there will be optimum operating conditions for each catalyst in the bubblin g fluidised bed reactor.