Partial oxidation of methane to synthesis gas: Elimination of gas phase oxygen

The reaction between methane and cerium oxide to produce syngas has been st udied at 700 degreesC in a pulse apparatus. The cerium oxide was supported on gamma -Al2O3 and promoted by re-impregnation with Pt or Rh. The promoter s drastically enhanced the conversion of methane. TPR with hydrogen shows t hat Pt and Rh also lowered the temperature necessary to reduce the cerium o xide. Studies of the reaction between methane and promoted cerium oxide sho wed that the selectivity to syngas depends on the degree of reduction of th e cerium oxide. The promoters also led to some carbon formation. Regenerati on of the reduced oxide was studied both with oxygen and carbon dioxide. (C ) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.