PARTIAL OXIDATION OF METHANE USING FERRIC MOLYBDATE CATALYST

The single-step partial oxidation of methane to methanol was carried out in a pyrex-glass-lined reactor using supported ferric molybdate catalyst. Experiments were performed in the temperature range 648-743 K and in the pressure range 3-67 bar. Air was used as the oxidizing agent, and the oxygen concentration in the feed was maintained around 4.5%. The products obtained were methanol, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide; A maximum methane conversion of 5.6% and a methanol selectivity of 43.5% were obtained at 743 K and 34 bar. The results obtained indicate that the partial oxidation reaction is governed by two reaction pathways, giving methanol and formaldehyde as the initial products below 703 K and carbon monoxide as the initial product above 703 K. A first-order kinetic model for the reaction system gives reasonable values for product yields, in the range of experimental conditions employed for this study.