Oxidative coupling of methane in a solid oxide fuel cell reactor

A novel gas-recycle solid oxide fuel cell reactor-separator has been developed which gives very high ethylene yields during the oxidative coupling of methane. The recycled gas passes continuously through a molecular sieve trap in the recycle loop, which traps and thus protects an easily controllable percentage (up to 100%) of C2H4 and C2H6 produced during each gas cycle. The C-2 products are obtained by subsequent heating of the molecular sieve trap. Ethylene yields up to 85% (88% C2H4 selectivity at 97% methane conversion) were achieved using a Ag or Ag-Sm2O3 anode during batch operation under conditions of chemical cogeneration.