OXIDATIVE COUPLING OF METHANE OVER MG-LI OXIDE CATALYSTS AT RELATIVELY LOW-TEMPERATURE - THE EFFECT OF STEAM

The paper reports on the catalytic oxidative coupling of methane to C2 and higher hydrocarbons over magnesium-lithium oxide catalyst at low temperatures (≤600°C). in the presence of steam, and at low space velocity. It is shown that under these conditions active Mg-Li-O catalysts are able to facilitate the oxidative coupling of methane to give 18-22% conversion with selectivity to hydrocarbons ∼30%. The presence of steam is essential to the formation of the coupling products. In the absence of steam, partial oxidation to form syn-gas becomes dominant at these low temperatures. © 1993 Academic Press, Inc.