Methanol Synthesis by Partial Oxidation of Methane

Methanol was synthesized by the partial oxidation of methane with various oxide catalysts. The reaction was carried out using a pyrex-lined fixed bed reactor at 723–753 K and 20–46 bar, while changing the flow rate and feed gas ratios. The adsorption and desorption characteristics of oxygen were examined with an O2-TPD experiment. Bi-Cs-Mg-Cu-Mo catalyst was found to be the most suitable for methanol synthesis. It appeared that a catalyst that can easily provide lattice oxygen is more suitable for methanol synthesis. The methane conversion and methanol selectivity increased with the temperature. The methane conversion increased with the oxygen concentration, while the methanol selectivity decreased with an increasing oxygen concentration. The feed flow rate did not exhibit any significant effects on methane conversion and methanol selectivity.