Partial Oxidation of Methane to Syngas in a Packed Bed Catalyst Membrane Reactor

The planar membrane reactor configuration was explored for partial oxidation of methane (POM) to syngas. A supported membrane composed of yttria‐stabilized zirconia and La0.8Sr0.2Cr0.5Fe0.5O3‐δ was sealed to a stainless holder, and a Ni/Al2O3 catalyst bed was placed under the membrane plane with a small slit between them. This reactor configuration would facilitate the POM reaction via oxidation‐reforming mechanism: the oxidation reaction occurring at the membrane surface and the reforming reaction taking place in the catalyst bed. At 800°C and a methane feed rate of 32 mL min−1, the reactor attained methane throughput conversion over 90%, CO and H2 selectivity both over 95%, and an equivalent oxygen permeation rate 1.4 mL cm−2 min−1. The membrane and catalyst remained intact after the POM testing. The planar membrane reactor configuration explored in this study may lead to the development of a compact reactor for syngas production. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 62: 2170–2176, 2016