Oxidative Coupling of Methane over SrO/La2O3 Catalyst in an Oxygen-Permeable Separation Membrane Reactor

Abstract

Abstract: Oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) over SrO/La2O3 catalyst was studied in a densely perovskite-type Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3-δ (BSCF) mixed-conducting membrane reactor at high temperatures. Oxygen permeation fluxes of the perovskite-type BSCF functional membranes were measured at 973–1123 K, and the membrane surfaces were also studied by SEM for the membranes before and after the catalytic OCM reaction. High selectivity to C2 products was achieved in the oxygen-permeable BSCF mixed-conducting membrane reactor, and the highest C2 yield of 11.6% was obtained in the oxygen-separation membrane reactor at 1123 K. The perovskite-type BSCF mixed-conducting membrane reactor also exhibited good stability for the catalytic OCM membrane reaction during 30-hour preliminary operation. Graphic Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.].