Direct non-oxidative methane conversion (DNMC) over iron/silica (Fe/SiO2) catalysts is a promising solution for developing fuels and chemicals from methane. The endothermic DNMC reaction requires high energy input to reach temperatures required for desirable methane conversion. Co-feeding oxygen (O2) over quartz-supported Fe-species (Fe/SiO2(Q), “Q” denotes quartz) catalysts resulted in greater than 100% increase methane conversion and 50% increase in product yield while supplying heat for DNMC from energy released during CO and CO2 formation. Fe/SiO2(Q) was prepared via flame-fusion, maintaining the quartz SiO2 crystalline phase, unlike melt-fusing methods resulting in a phase transformation to cristobalite. In DNMC, the catalyst had only a brief induction period and good stability. At low concentrations, the O2 co-feed increased methane conversion and hydrocarbon yield, suggesting that oxidative coupling of methane promotes C2 and aromatics formation. Analyses of spent Fe/SiO2(Q) catalysts indicated that the O2 co-feed alters the coking species that actively participate in DNMC.

Improving hydrocarbon yield via co-feeding in methane coupling on iron/quartz catalyst

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

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