NON-FARADAIC ELECTROCHEMICAL PROMOTION OF CATALYTIC METHANE REFORMING FOR METHANOL PRODUCTION

摘要

A method of converting methane to methanol at low temperatures utilizes a reactor including an anode, a cathode, a membrane separator between the anode and cathode, a metal oxide catalyst at the anode and a hydrogen recovery catalyst at the cathode. The method can convert methane to methanol at as rate exceeding the theoretical Faradaic rate due to the contribution of an electrochemical reaction occurring in tandem with a Faradaic reaction.

主权项

1. A method of converting methane to methanol, comprising the steps of:
providing a reactor including an anode, a cathode, and a membrane separator between the anode and the cathode; feeding methane to the anode, and converting the methane to methanol and electrons in the presence of a metal oxide catalyst at the anode; conducting the electrons to the cathode, thereby transforming water at the cathode to hydrogen gas and hydroxide ions; transforming the hydroxide ions through the membrane separator to the anode, causing regeneration of the metal oxide catalyst; and recovering the methanol from the reactor.