Direct methane conversion to methanol. Final report, July 19, 1990--May 18, 1996

Technical Report · Thu Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1998

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/567455· OSTI ID:567455

One objective of this project was to demonstrate the effectiveness of a catalytic membrane reactor (a ceramic membrane combined with a catalyst) to selectively produce methanol by partial oxidation of methane. Methanol is used as a chemical feed stock, gasoline additive, and turbine fuel. Methane partial oxidation using a catalytic membrane reactor has been determined as one of the promising approaches for methanol synthesis from methane. Methanol synthesis and separation in one step would also make methane valuable for producing chemicals and fuels. Another valuable fuel product is H{sub 2}. Its separation from other gasification products would make it very valuable as a chemical feedstock and clean fuel for fuel cells. Gasification of coal or other organic fuels as a source of H{sub 2} produces compounds (CO, CO{sub 2}, and H{sub 2}O) that require high temperature (1000-1500{degrees}F) and high pressure (600-1000 psia) separations. A zeolite membrane layer on a mechanically stable ceramic or stainless steel support would have ideal applications for this type of separation. Separations using zeolite membrane was also evaluated for use in the production in the above fuels. 20 refs., 20 figs., 1 tab.

• Research Organization: Colorado Univ., Boulder, CO (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: FG21-90MC27115
• OSTI ID: 567455
• Report Number(s): DOE/MC/27115--5731; ON: DE97005443
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
CATALYSIS
CHEMICAL PREPARATION
CHEMICAL REACTORS
MEMBRANES
METHANE
METHANOL FUELS
PROGRESS REPORT
SEPARATION PROCESSES
ZEOLITES