La0.6Sr0.4Co0.8Ga0.2O3‐δ (LSCG) hollow fiber membrane reactor: Partial oxidation of methane at medium temperature

Abstract

In this study, La0.6Sr0.4Co0.8Ga0.2O3‐δ (LSCG) hollow fiber membrane reactor was integrated with Ni/LaAlO3‐Al2O3 catalyst for the catalytic partial oxidation of methane (POM) reaction. The process was successfully carried out in the medium temperature range (600–800°C) for reaction of blank POM with bare membrane, catalytic POM reaction and swept with H2:CO gas mixture. For the catalytic POM reaction, enhancement in selectivity to H2 and CO is obtained between 650–750°C when O2:CH4 <1. High CH4 conversion of 97% is achieved at 750°C with corresponding H2 and CO selectivity of about 74 and 91%. The oxygen flux of the membranes also increased with the increase in oxygen partial pressure gradient across the membrane. The postreacted membranes were tested via XRD and FESEM‐EDX for their crystallinity and surface morphology. XPS analysis was further used to investigate the O1s, Co 2p and Sr 3d binding energies of the segregated elements from the reducing reaction environment. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 3874–3885, 2013