Possibility of direct conversion of CH4 and CO2 to high-value products

The possibilities of low-temperature activation of CHI and hydrogenation of CO2 were analyzed, and the feasibility of the direct conversion of CH4 and CO2 to oxygenated compounds by means of a two-step reaction sequence at lo w temperature was studied. Preliminary experimental results show that the i nteraction of CH4 adspecies with CO2 on Cu-Co-based catalysts can produce v arious compounds such as alcohol, aldehyde, ketone, carboxylic acid, and cy clopentane derivatives. The product composition and distribution depend gre atly on the way in which the feed is introduced, but acetic acid and a cycl opentane derivative are produced according to the three methods studied. Th e optimum temperature is 250 degreesC and the optimum Cu/Co ratio is 5 for acetic acid production. FTIR measurements confirmed the formation of CHx an d CHxO over the catalysts used. (C) 2001 Academic Press.