CONVERSION OF METHANE TO METHANOL BY CATALYTIC SUPERCRITICAL WATER OXIDATION

Selective conversion of methane to methanol has been accomplished by catalytic partial oxidation over Cr2O3 in supercritical water (SCW). The presence of water in high concentration inhibits the methane conversion but promotes the yield of methanol. The methane oxidation reaction was observed to be slightly negative order in oxygen concentration; increasing oxygen concentration produced a small decrease in methane conversion. Methanol oxidation was positive order in oxygen concentration; thus, increasing oxygen concentration dramatically reduced the yield of methanol. A consistent set of reaction pathways are developed and rate constants, which accurately model the experimental results, are calculated.