Thermal Coupling of Methane

Abstract

Abstract Thermal coupling of methane was investigated in a tubular flow reactor in the temperature range 1000–1200°C at atmospheric pressure. To avoid carbon formation the reaction time was short and the methane feed was diluted with helium, hydrogen or steam. Hydrogen was most effective in suppressing carbon formation, thus, more than 90% selectivity for ethylene + acetylene was obtained. To increase the rate of methane coupling different gases were added. Oxygen increased the rate but strongly decreased the selectivity to C 2 products. Other additives which increased the conversion of methane were ethane, propane, dimethyl ether and dinitrogen oxide. The effect of additives were often different when using helium as diluent instead of hydrogen.