(406a) Short Contact Time Catalytic Partial Oxidation of Methane over Rhodium Catalysts Supported on 3-D Printed Ceramic Supports

Short contact time catalytic partial oxidation (SCT-CPO) is a process by which methane and other fuels can be converted to hydrogen and carbon monoxide at millisecond contact times without the addition of heat. To achieve such low contact times, structured supports with high void fractions. Since the reaction is limited by mass transfer, small pore diameters are desired at the cost of potential increases in pressure drop. 3-D printed ceramic supports (created via robocasting) can be produced with well defined and consistent pore structures and sizes with the desired high void fraction necessary for short contact time operation.

In this work, we have investigated the SCT-CPO of methane over 3-D printed ceramic supports experimentally demonstrating their ability to achieve high yields at low residence times and virtually no pressure drop. Supports of different compositions including alumina, silica, and zirconia have been investigated as well as differing pore size supports at constant void fraction. Experimental data at varying space velocities and feed ratios will be presented. Under the appropriate conditions, 3-D printed supports achieve methane conversions over 85% with hydrogen selectivities over 90% at space velocities over 400,000 hr-1.