CATALYTIC OXIDATIONS OF METHANE TO METHANOL

Catalytic oxidation of methane to methanol and formaldehyde holds considerable potential for producing liquid fuels and petrochemicals from natural gas. Experiments were conducted for the following conditions: (1) feed, methane (95.65%) and oxygen (4.35%); (2) pressure of 50 atm and temperatures from 640 to 750 K; (3) residence times of 2-5 s. The data indicate that a significant portion of the product is produced by homogeneous reactions occurring in the void spaces of the packed bed reactors, and that high surface area materials inhibit free-radical reactions. The selectivities of methanol were 30-35% for the catalysts used in this study, and the conversion of methane and the selectivities were essentially the same for different mixed oxide catalysts for oxygen conversions greater than 95%.