Open AccessDirect catalytic conversion of methane and light hydrocarbon gases. Quarterly report No. 4, August 16--October 15, 1987
Author(s) -
Robert B. Wilson,
Yee Wai Chan
Publication year - 1987
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
DOI - 10.2172/85185
Subject(s) - ruthenium , methane , catalysis , hydrocarbon , zeolite , chemical engineering , molecular sieve , membrane , cluster (spacecraft) , hydrogen , materials science , selectivity , chemistry , nanotechnology , inorganic chemistry , organic chemistry , engineering , computer science , biochemistry , programming language
The goals of this research project are to increase the methane conversion and improve the hydrocarbon production. For methane reforming, we achieved a conversion of up to 43% by adjusting the reaction conditions. Ruthenium clusters are effective catalysts but the selectivity to hydrocarbons needs to be improved. In evaluating the effect of cluster size for mononuclear, tetranuclear, and hexanuclear ruthenium complexes we found that the tetraruthenium cluster was by far the most effective catalyst. We began to study the mixed metal catalysts by synthesizing a FeRu{sub 3} cluster. We plan to vary the ratio of Fe to Ru by synthesizing Fe{sub 2}Ru{sub 2} and Fe{sub 3}Ru clusters. The type of the support also plays an important role in methane reforming. We briefly tested a basic support, magnesia, in addition to the acidic supports tested previously (alumina, 5A molecular sieve, and Y-zeolite). The results are promising. We will continue to investigate the role of the support. The effectiveness of using a hydrogen removal membrane is still in question. We purchased a new Pd/Ag membrane tube inside which a stainless steel spring is inserted. The steel spring will increase the strength of the otherwise fragile tube and it will support the tube during bending. We will build a new reactor using this membrane tube