Theoretical Investigations of Methane Conversion to Heavier Hydrocarbons in a Plasma Reactor

Abstract:

In this study, mathematical modelling of oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) to C₂ hydrocarbons (C₂H₆ and C₂H₄) over La2O3/CaO catalyst in a fixed-bed reactor operated under isothermal and non-isothermal conditions was investigated using the MATLAB program. In this process, methane and acetylene were the inputted feed and ethane, ethylene, propylene, propane, i-butane and n-butane were the output products. The amount of methane conversion obtained was 12.7% for the former feed however; if pure methane was inputted this conversion rose to 13.8%. Furthermore, the plasma process would enhance the conversion, selectivity towards desired product and process yield. A comparison between the thermal and the plasma process showed that the methane conversion and production yield in the plasma were higher than in the thermal process under the same operating conditions. Finally, the results of the catalytic OCM and methane conversion processes in the plasma phase were compared with one another.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volume 548)
• Pages: 153-159
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.548.153
• Online since: July 2012
• Authors: Mohammad Kazemeini, Masoud Habibi Zare, Nora Safabakhsh, Shadi Roshdi Ferdosi, Moslem Fattahi
• Keywords: Heavy Hydrocarbons, Methane Conversion, Modeling, OCM, Plasma Reactor

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