Dual utilization of greenhouse gases to produce C2+ hydrocarbons and syngas in a hydrogen-permeable membrane reactor

• Published in: Journal of membrane science 2020-02, Vol.595, p.117557, Article 117557
• Main Authors: Sakbodin, Mann, Schulman, Emily, Oh, Su Cheun, Pan, Ying, Wachsman, Eric D., Liu, Dongxia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Membrane reactor; Non-oxidative methane conversion; Reverse water-gas-shift reaction; SrCe0.8Zr0.2O3-δ ceramic; Syngas
• ISSN: 0376-7388; 1873-3123
• DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2019.117557

The direct utilization of CH4 and CO2 to simultaneously produce C2+ hydrocarbons (C2 and aromatics) and syngas (CO and H2) on opposite sides of a mixed ionic-electronic conducting SrCe0.7Zr0.2Eu0.1O3-δ membrane reactor is demonstrated. On one side (interior) of the membrane reactor, direct non-oxidative methane conversion (DNMC) over an iron/silica catalyst produces C2+ hydrocarbons and H2. On the other side (outer surface) of the membrane, permeated hydrogen (driving the DNMC reaction) reacts with a CO2 sweep gas to form CO and water via the reverse water gas shift (RWGS) reaction. This novel single hydrogen-permeable membrane reactor simultaneously addresses both reduction of greenhouse gas (CO2 and CH4) emissions as well as production of value-added hydrocarbon products (C2+, CO, and H2) with in situ gas separation. [Display omitted] •Capability of the SrCe0.7Zr0.2Eu0.1O3-δ membrane reactor for utilization of CH4 and CO2 was shown.•On the feed side, CH4 upgrading to C2+ hydrocarbons was via DNMC reaction.•On the sweep side, CO2 reacts with H2 to form CO and H2O via the RWGS reaction.•Coke formation is reduced with CO2 as sweep gas.•Stable performance (CH4 conversion and product selectivity) for at least 50 h.