Direct conversion of methane to aromatics in a catalytic co-ionic membrane reactor

Abstract

Membranes to make benzene from methane Methane gas is expensive to ship. It is usually converted into carbon monoxide and hydrogen and then liquefied. This is economically feasible only on very large scales. Hence, methane produced in small amounts at remote locations is either burned or not extracted. A promising alternative is conversion to benzene and hydrogen with molybdenumzeolite catalysts. Unfortunately, these catalysts deactivate because of carbon buildup; plus, hydrogen has to be removed to drive the reaction forward. Morejudo et al. address both of these problems with a solid-state BaZrO 3 membrane reactor that electrochemically removes hydrogen and supplies oxygen to suppress carbon buildup. Science , this issue p. 563