Evaluation of La0.5Sr0.5FeO3-δ membrane reactors for partial oxidation of methane

Dense planar and tubular oxygen separation membranes of La0.5Sr0.5FeO3-delta were studied in the partial oxidation of methane to syngas process. The oxygen permeation properties were obtained from the analysis of the outlet gas and compared with the data calculated from conductivity measurements. For the planar reactor, the selectivity achieved 95% and the CH4 conversion was 95-99% at 900 degrees C with pure methane. For the tubular reactor, the CO selectivity and CH4 conversion were 90% and 100%, respectively, under the same conditions. In both cases, the H-2/CO ratio was 1.6-1.9. No degradation of membranes was observed after 250 h of operation.