Oxidative Coupling of Methane in a BCFZ Perovskite Hollow Fiber Membrane Reactor

A membrane reactor that incorporated hollow fiber in combination with an established catalyst was used for the oxidative coupling of methane (OCM). A perovskite membrane of the composition BaCo(x)Fe(y)Zr(z)O(3-delta) (BCFZ, x + y + z = 1) allows a controlled oxygen feed into the reactor over its axial length. Using this novel hollow fiber membrane reactor with a 2 wt % Mn/5 wt Na(2)WO(4) on SiO(2) catalyst as a packed bed around the fiber, oxygen separation from air and C(2) formation could be established at 800 degrees C with long-term stability. The highest C(2) selectivity of similar to 75% was observed at a methane conversion of 6% with a C(2)H(4):C(2)H(6) ratio of 2:1. The highest C(2)H(4):C(2)H(6) ratio of 4:1 and maximum C(2) yield of 17% was obtained at 50% C(2) selectivity. It is known from the literature that such results can be obtained without a catalyst in a similar membrane reactor only at temperatures 150 degrees C higher.