(32c) Non-Oxidative Conversion of Methane into Aromatic Compounds in Membrane Reactor

Non oxidative conversion of methane into benzene, toluene or naphthalene is always a challenge, mainly due to two reasons. Firstly, the thermodynamic equilibrium limit of the methane dehydroaromatization (DHA) reaction is low about 12% conversion at 700^oC and secondly, the fast catalyst deactivation due to coke formation during the reaction. In this work we show our preliminary results on shifting the equilibrium conditions during DHA reaction by separating H₂ using a membrane reaction under pressurizing conditions on 4wt% Mo/HZSM-5.  The methane conversion and product distribution were compared under to equilibrium conditions. During H₂ lean conditions the products distribution tend to shift towards the formation of light (C₂₊) hydrocarbons. Different techniques such as BET, SEM, TPO, and XPS were applied to fresh and spent catalyst to reveal the effect of H₂ removal on product distribution, catalyst activity and coking behavior.