Methane conversion in membrane reactors

Mixed-conducting oxygen permeable membrane, Ba_0.5Sr_0.5Co_0.8 Fe_0.2O_3-δ, was synthesized by using a combined EDTA-citrate complexing method. The intrinsic catalytic activity of the membrane for CH₄ conversion was studied. The membrane was found to have catalytic activity for oxidative coupling of methane and partial oxidation of methane to synthesis gas. The CH₄ conversion rapidly increased two times, the first one was due to the reforming of CH₄ with CO₂; the second one was due to the increase of oxygen permeation rate. Oxygen permeation rate increased with the increase of temperature. At 850°C, X(CH₄) = 96%, S(CO) = 97.3%, and J(O₂) = 11 mL(sq cm.min). Based on the results of EDS and XRD, carbonates were observed on the reactive side of the membrane surface, but it did not affect the oxygen permeation rate.