Direct conversion of methane to aromatics in a catalytic co-ionic membrane reactor

TLDR

Methane gas is expensive to ship, is usually converted into CO and H₂ and liquefied, which is only economically feasible on very large scales, so small remote methane is burned or not extracted. The study proposes converting methane to benzene and hydrogen using a solid‑state BaZrO₃ membrane reactor that electrochemically removes hydrogen and supplies oxygen to suppress carbon buildup. The authors employ a BaZrO₃ membrane reactor that electrochemically removes hydrogen and supplies oxygen, thereby suppressing carbon buildup and preventing catalyst deactivation. Morejudo et al., Science, p.

Abstract

Membranes to make benzene from methane Methane gas is expensive to ship. It is usually converted into carbon monoxide and hydrogen and then liquefied. This is economically feasible only on very large scales. Hence, methane produced in small amounts at remote locations is either burned or not extracted. A promising alternative is conversion to benzene and hydrogen with molybdenumzeolite catalysts. Unfortunately, these catalysts deactivate because of carbon buildup; plus, hydrogen has to be removed to drive the reaction forward. Morejudo et al. address both of these problems with a solid-state BaZrO 3 membrane reactor that electrochemically removes hydrogen and supplies oxygen to suppress carbon buildup. Science , this issue p. 563