MODERN STATE OF DIRECT HIGH-PRESSURE PARTIAL OXIDATION OF NATURAL-GAS TO METHANOL

The survey of existing experimental results on direct partial oxidation of methane to methanol (DMTM) is followed by theoretical analysis of the process. Special attention is paid to the role of the pressure. The cause of failure of many attempts to promote a high pressure DMTM process by means of catalysts is elucidated. The modern industrial significance and future prospects of the process and the most important directions of future investigations are discussed.