Blank reactor corrections in studies of the oxidative dehydrogenation of methane

Abstract

Measurements have been made on the activity and selectivity of both magnesium oxide and lithium-doped magnesium oxide catalysts for the oxidative dehydrogenation of methane and have been compared with thermal (homogeneous) reactions in the same reactor. In addition to the use of methane, oxygen, and helium as the feed, methane and air mixtures have been used. Detailed experiments with our particular empty reactor, and residence time, showed that significant quantities of ethane and ethylene were formed at operating temperatures in the absence of a catalyst. Furthermore, under the same conditions large quantities of carbon monoxide were formed in our empty reactor; the carbon monoxide was found to be converted readily to carbon dioxide in the presence of either pure magnesium oxide or lithium-doped magnesium oxide.