Analysis of oxidative coupling of methane in dense oxide membrane reactors

W. Wang, Y. S. Lin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

90 Scopus citations

Abstract

Oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) in dense oxide membrane reactors is analyzed using a model based on equations that describe OCM kinetics on membrane surface, oxygen permeation through the membrane, and mass transfer and reactions in membrane CSTR or PFR. The membrane consists of an oxygen ionic conducting oxide layer with one surface serving as catalyst for OCM. The kinetic equations considering the involvement of lattice oxygen in the catalytic reactions are derived and extended, with the same parameters, to describe OCM kinetics on the oxide layer operated in the membrane mode. Calculation results show a possibility of achieving much higher C2 yielss (> 70%) for OCM in the dense oxide membrane reactors than in conventional packed-bed reactors. Using an impervious but highly oxygen permeable ceramic membrane with an OCM catalytically active surface is essential to achieving the high C2 yields for OCM in a membrane reactor. The yield is also very sensitive to characteristics of membrane, reaction conditions and reactor size. A high C2 yield can be achieved only under the conditions that the oxygen permeation flux, methane flow rate and intrinsic reaction rate match each other. Parametric analysis is presented to examine the effects of several important parameters on the performance of OCM in membrane CSTR and PFR.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)219-233
Number of pages15
JournalJournal of Membrane Science
Volume103
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 31 1995
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Ceramic membranes
  • Ionic conducting membranes
  • Membrane reactors
  • Oxidative coupling of methane
  • Theory

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • General Materials Science
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
  • Filtration and Separation

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