Development of a CH4 dehydroaromatization–catalyst regeneration fluidized bed system

Abstract

Abstract A pilot-scale methane dehydroaromatization–H2 regeneration fluidized bed system (MDARS) was developed. In the MDARS, the catalyst circulation between a fluidized bed reactor and a fluidized bed regenerator with the help of a catalyst feeder allowed methane dehydroaromatization (MDA) and H2 regeneration to be carried out simultaneously, which is good for maintaining a stable MDA catalytic activity. A fixed bed reactor (FB) and a single fluidized bed reactor (SFB) were also used for a comparative study. The experimental results showed that the catalytic activity in the MDARS was more stable than that in the FB and SFB reactors. The effects of some parameters of MDARS on the CH4 conversion and product selectivity were investigated. To verify the feasibility and reliability of the MDARS, an eight-hour long-term test was carried out, which demonstrated that the operation of the MDARS was stable and that the catalytic activity remained stable throughout the entire experimental period.