Oxidative conversion of methane and methanol on M/Al2O3/cordierite structured metal oxide catalysts (m = Ni,Cu, Zn)

A study was carried out on the properties of Ni/Al₂O₃ and Cu-ZnO/Al₂O₃ composites supported on ceramic honeycomb monoliths made from synthetic cordierite in the carbon dioxide conversion of methane and the partial oxidation of methanol. The structured nickel-alumina catalysts are significantly more efficient than the conventional granulated catalysts. The improved working stability of these catalysts was achieved by adjusting the acid-base properties of the surface by introducing sodium and potassium oxides, which leads to inhibition of surface carbonization. The hydrogen yield was close to 90% in the partial oxidation of methanol with a stoichiometric reagent ratio in the presence of the Cu-ZnO/Al₂O₃/cordierite catalyst. A synergistic effect was found, reducing the selectivity of CO formation in the presence of the Cu-ZnO catalyst relative to samples derived from the individual components Cu and ZnO. __________ Translated from Teoreticheskaya i éksperimental’naya Khimiya, Vol. 43, No. 5, pp. 299–306, September–October, 2007.