Ceramic membrane reactor for converting methane to syngas

Direct Conversion of Methane to C2 Hydrocarbons in Solid-State Membrane Reactors at High Temperatures

Direct conversion of methane to C₂ compounds by oxidative and nonoxidative coupling reactions has been intensively studied in the past four decades; however, because these reactions have intrinsic severe thermodynamic constraints, they have not become viable industrially. Recently, with the increasing availability of inexpensive "green electrons" coming from renewable sources, electrochemical technologies are gaining momentum for reactions that have been challenging for more conventional catalysis. Using solid-state membranes to control the reacting species and separate products in a single step is a crucial advantage. Devices using ionic or mixed ionic-electronic conductors can be explored for methane coupling reactions with great potential to increase selectivity. Although these technologies are still in the early scaling stages, they offer a sustainable path for the utilization of methane and benefit from the advances in both solid oxide fuel cells and electrolyzers. This review identifies promising developments for solid-state methane conversion reactors by assessing multifunctional layers with microstructural control; combining solid electrolytes (proton and oxygen ion conductors) with active and selective electrodes/catalysts; applying more efficient reactor designs; understanding the reaction/degradation mechanisms; defining standards for performance evaluation; and carrying techno-economic analysis.

Reactional Processes on Osmium-Polymeric Membranes for 5-Nitrobenzimidazole Reduction

Membranes are associated with the efficient processes of separation, concentration and purification, but a very important aspect of them is the realization of a reaction process simultaneously with the separation process. From a practical point of view, chemical reactions have been introduced in most membrane systems: with on-liquid membranes, with inorganic membranes or with polymeric and/or composite membranes. This paper presents the obtaining of polymeric membranes containing metallic osmium obtained in situ. Cellulose acetate (CA), polysulfone (PSf) and polypropylene hollow fiber membranes (PPM) were used as support polymer membranes. The metallic osmium is obtained directly onto the considered membranes using a solution of osmium tetroxide (OsO4), dissolved in tert–butyl alcohol (t–Bu–OH) by reduction with molecular hydrogen. The composite osmium–polymer (Os–P)-obtained membranes were characterized in terms of the morphological and structural points of view: scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution SEM (HR–SEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy analysis (EDAX), Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The process performance was tested for reduction of 5–nitrobenzimidazole to 5–aminobenzimidazole with molecular hydrogen. The paper presents the main aspects of the possible mechanism of transformation of 5–nitrobenzimidazole to 5–aminobenzimidazole with hydrogen gas in the reaction system with osmium–polymer membrane (Os–P).

In situ X-ray diffraction computed tomography studies examining the thermal and chemical stabilities of working Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3-δ membranes during oxidative coupling of methane

In this study we present the results from two in situ X-ray diffraction computed tomography experiments of catalytic membrane reactors (CMRs) using Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3-δ (BSCF) hollow fibre membranes and Na-Mn-W/SiO2 catalyst during the oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) reaction. The negative impact of CO2, when added to the inlet gas stream, is seen to be mainly related to the C2+ yield, while no evidence of carbonate phase(s) formation is found during the OCM experiments. The main degradation mechanism of the CMR is suggested to be primarily associated with the solid-state evolution of the BSCF phase rather than the presence of CO2. Specifically, in situ XRD-CT and post-mortem SEM/EDX measurements revealed a collapse of the cubic BSCF phase and subsequent formation of secondary phases, which include needle-like structures and hexagonal Ba6Co4O12 and formation of a BaWO4 layer, the latter being a result of chemical interaction between the membrane and catalyst materials at high temperatures.

Ice-Templating for the Elaboration of Oxygen Permeation Asymmetric Tubular Membrane with Radial Oriented Porosity

An original asymmetric tubular membrane for oxygen production applications was manufactured in a two-step process. A 3 mol% Y2O3 stabilized ZrO2 (3YSZ) porous tubular support was manufactured by the freeze-casting technique, offering a hierarchical and radial-oriented porosity of about 15 µm in width, separated by fully densified walls of about 2 µm thick, suggesting low pressure drop and boosted gas transport. The external surface of the support was successively dip-coated to get a Ce0.8Gd0.2O2−δ – 5mol%Co (CGO-Co) interlayer of 80 µm in thickness and an outer dense layer of La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3−δ (LSCF) with a thickness of 30 µm. The whole tubular membrane presents both uniform geometric characteristics and microstructure all along its length. Chemical reactivity between each layer was studied by coupling X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis and Energy Dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy (EDX) mapping at each step of the manufacturing process. Cation interdiffusion between different phases was discarded, confirming the compatibility of this tri-layer asymmetric ceramic membrane for oxygen production purposes. For the first time, a freeze-cast tubular membrane has been evaluated for oxygen permeation, exhibiting a value of 0.31 ml·min−1·cm−2 at 1000ºC under air and argon as feed and sweep gases, respectively. Finally, under the same conditions and increasing the oxygen partial pressure to get pure oxygen as feed, the oxygen permeation reached 1.07 ml·min−1·cm−2.

Mixed Ionic-Electronic Conducting Membranes (MIEC) for Their Application in Membrane Reactors: A Review

Mixed ionic-electronic conducting membranes have seen significant progress over the last 25 years as efficient ways to obtain oxygen separation from air and for their integration in chemical production systems where pure oxygen in small amounts is needed. Perovskite materials are the most employed materials for membrane preparation. However, they have poor phase stability and are prone to poisoning when subjected to CO2 and SO2, which limits their industrial application. To solve this, the so-called dual-phase membranes are attracting greater attention. In this review, recent advances on self-supported and supported oxygen membranes and factors that affect the oxygen permeation and membrane stability are presented. Possible ways for further improvements that can be pursued to increase the oxygen permeation rate are also indicated. Lastly, an overview of the most relevant examples of membrane reactors in which oxygen membranes have been integrated are provided.

Postextraction Separation, On-Board Storage, and Catalytic Conversion of Methane in Natural Gas: A Review

In today's perspective, natural gas has gained considerable attention, due to its low emission, indigenous availability, and improvement in the extraction technology. Upon extraction, it undergoes several purification protocols including dehydration, sweetening, and inert rejection. Although purification is a commercially established technology, several drawbacks of the current process provide an essential impetus for developing newer separation protocols, most importantly, adsorption and membrane separation. This Review summarizes the needs of natural gas separation, gives an overview of the current technology, and provides a detailed discussion of the progress in research on separation and purification of natural gas including the benefits and drawbacks of each of the processes. The transportation sector is another growing sector of natural gas utilization, and it requires an efficient and safe on-board storage system. Compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) are the most common forms in which natural gas can be stored. Adsorbed natural gas (ANG) is an alternate storage system of natural gas, which is advantageous as compared to CNG and LNG in terms of safety and also in terms of temperature and pressure requirements. This Review provides a detailed discussion on ANG along with computation predictions. The catalytic conversion of methane to different useful chemicals including syngas, methanol, formaldehyde, dimethyl ether, heavier hydrocarbons, aromatics, and hydrogen is also reviewed. Finally, direct utilization of methane onto fuel cells is also discussed.

Ancient wood of the Acqualadrone rostrum: materials history through gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and sulfur X-ray absorption spectroscopy

In 2008 the rostrum from an ancient warship was recovered from the Mediterranean near Acqualadrone, Sicily. To establish its provenance and condition, samples of black and brown rostrum wood were examined using sulfur K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). GC/MS of pyrolytic volatiles yielded only guaiacyl derivatives, indicating construction from pinewood. A derivatized extract of black wood yielded forms of abietic acid and sandaracopimaric acid consistent with pine pitch waterproofing. Numerical fits to the sulfur K-edge XAS spectra showed that about 65% of the endogenous sulfur consisted of thiols and disulfides. Elemental sulfur was about 2% and 7% in black and brown wood, respectively, while pyritic sulfur was about 12% and 6%. About 2% of the sulfur in both wood types was modeled as trimethylsulfonium, possibly reflecting biogenic (dimethylsulfonio)propionate. High-valent sulfur was exclusively represented by sulfate esters, consistent with bacterial sulfotransferase activity. Traces of chloride were detected, but no free sulfate ion. In summary, the rostrum was manufactured of pine wood and subsequently waterproofed with pine pitch. The subsequent 2300 years included battle, foundering, and marine burial followed by anoxia, bacterial colonization, sulfate reduction, and mobilization of transition metals, which produced pyrite and copious appended sulfur functionality.