LOW-TEMPERATURE OXIDATIVE CONVERSION OF METHANE TO SYNGAS OVER NIO-CAO CATALYST

Catalytic partial oxidation of methane over NiO-CaO (with or without its prereduction by H-2) at low temperatures (less-than-or-equal-to 973 K) under non-equilibrium conditions yields syngas (H-2/CO ratio almost-equal-to 2.0) with high conversion/selectivity and extremely high productivity. If required, the H-2/CO ratio can be increased by adding water vapour to the feed. Product selectivity is controlled by the process kinetics and also the reaction path is different from that observed for the high-temperature non-catalytic and catalytic processes operating at equilibrium.