Nonoxidative methane conversion to acetylene over zeolite in a low temperature plasma

Journal Article · Thu Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1998 · Journal of Catalysis

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1006/jcat.1998.2225· OSTI ID:672475

Liu, C; Mallinson, R; Lobban, L ^[1]

---

1. Univ. of Oklahoma, Norman, OK (United States)

Previous investigations have found that the plasma catalytic conversion of methane is a low-temperature process for the activation of methane, the major component of natural gas. In this paper, the production of acetylene via plasma catalytic conversion of methane over NaY zeolite is discussed. Hydrogen is produced as a by-product during this plasma catalytic methane conversion. A methane/hydrogen feed with oxygen as an additive and helium as a diluent has been studied in this investigation. The CH{sub 4}/H{sub 2}/O{sub 2} system is found to be more selective for the production of C{sub 2} hydrocarbons, compared to the CH{sub 4}/O{sub 2}, CH{sub 4}H{sub 2}O, and CH{sub 4}/CO{sub 2} systems reported previously. A higher hydrogen concentration feed is more favorable for acetylene formation. The selectivity and yield of C{sub 2} hydrocarbons are related to the hydrogen feed rate, gas temperature, concentration of oxygen additive, and flowrate. The highest yield of C{sub 2} hydrocarbons (32%) is obtained at the lowest flowrate used (10 cm{sup 3}/s; residence time {approximately}2.3 s). A reaction mechanism is also presented to explain the experimental results.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: FG21-94MC31170
• OSTI ID: 672475
• Journal Information: Journal of Catalysis, Journal Name: Journal of Catalysis Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 179; ISSN JCTLA5; ISSN 0021-9517
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
08 HYDROGEN
10 SYNTHETIC FUELS
ACETYLENE
HYDROGEN PRODUCTION
METHANE
PLASMA HEATING
REFORMER PROCESSES
ZEOLITES