A kinetic study of methane conversion by a dinitrogen microwave plasma

Conversion of CH₄ with a N₂ microwave plasma (2.45 GHz) is studied. The experiments cover the absorbed microwave power range 300–700 W with 17–62% of methane in the gas mixture, with pressures of 10–40 mbar and flow rates of 140–650 ml· min^–1. The yields of C₂ hydrocarbons and dihydrogen are analyzed by gas chromatography. The distance of methane addition downstream of the plasma plays an important role on the composition and the concentration of the products obtained. This distance mainly determines the energy concentrated in the active species of the plasma when they react with methane. Different behaviors for acetylene formation, on the one hand, and for ethane and ethene formation, on the other hand, have been observed, and this finding allows us to propose a kinetic mechanism for the decay of methane and for the formation of C₂ hydrocarbons.     

Methane conversion by various metal, metal oxide and metal carbide catalysts

The progress in the field of methane conversion into higher hydrocarbons including aromatics and oxygenated compounds in the recent five years will be reviewed shortly, together with a new type of the methane conversion reaction with carbon monoxide at lower temperatures (600–700 K) by supported group VIII metal catalysts. Benzene was formed selectively among hydrocarbons in the CH₄–CO reaction over silica-supported Rh, Ru, Pd and Os catalysts under atmospheric pressure. Both CH₄ and CO were required for benzene formation, and only ethane and ethylene were formed besides benzene. The amount of C₃–C₅ hydrocarbons was negligible, which suggests that a completely different mechanism from the CO–H₂ reaction may be operating over these catalysts despite of the similarity in the reaction conditions with the CO–H₂ reaction. The mechanism of benzene formation was studied deeply by means of kinetical investigation as well as infrared spectroscopy and isotopic tracer method in connection with that of CO hydrogenation.     

Methane conversion by an air microwave plasma

Activation of methane is carried out by means of an air microwave plasma (2.45 GHz). The experiments cover the absorbed microwave power range 350–650 W (20–50 W cm³ with 17–62%, of methane in the gas mixture, with pressures of 10–66 mbar and flow rates of 140700 ml min¹. Methane, dioxygen, and dinitrogen consumptions as well as C₂ hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and dihydrogen yields are analyzed hr gas chromatography. The distance of methane addition from the end of the discharge plays an important role in the composition and the concentration of the products obtained. This distance mainly determines the energy concentrated in the active species of the plasma when they react with methane. A kinetic mechanism jar the activation and decay of inethane and for the formation of C₂ hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide is discussed based on the experimental results and kinetic data in the literature.     

Formation of C1–C5 Hydrocarbons from CCl4 in the Presence of Carbon-Supported Palladium Catalysts

Along with hydrodechlorination, the formation of C₁ and higher hydrocarbons takes place in a flow system in the presence of catalysts containing 0.5–5.0% Pd supported on a Sibunit carbon carrier at 150–230°C. In the entire range of conditions examined, the reaction products are primarily methane, C₂–C₄ hydrocarbon fractions, and C₅ traces. The catalysts are stable in operation, and a high conversion of CCl₄ was retained for a long time interval. The nonselective formation of linear and branched hydrocarbons is indicative of a radical mechanism of the process.     

Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Studies of Hydrocarbons in RF Plasmas Containing Hexamethyldisiloxane

Tunable infrared diode laser absorption spectroscopy has been used to detect the methyl radical and three stable molecules, CH₄, C₂H₂ and C₂H₆, in radio frequency plasmas (f=13.56 MHz) containing hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO). The methyl radical concentration and the concentration of the stable hydrocarbons, produced in the plasma, have been measured in pure HMDSO discharges and with admixtures of Ar, while discharge power (P=20–200 W), total gas pressure (p=0.08–0.6 mbar), gas mixture and total gas flow rate (=1–10 sccm) were varied. The methyl radical concentration was found to be in the range of 10¹³ molecules cm^-3, while methane and ethane are the dominant hydrocarbons with concentrations of 10¹⁴–10¹⁵ mol cm^-3. Conversion rates to the measured stable hydrocarbons (RC(C_xH_y): 2×10¹²–2×10¹⁶ molecules J^-1 s^-1) could be estimated in dependence on power, flow, mixture and pressure. Under the used experimental conditions a maximum deposition rate of polymer layers of about 400 nm min^-1 has been found.     

Solubility of Solid Pentane, 2-Methylbutane, and Cyclopentane in Liquid Argon at 87.3 K

The solubilities of solid pentane, 2-methylbutane (isopentane), and cyclopentane in liquid argon at 87.3 K have been measured by the filtration method. The C₅ hydrocarbon content in solution was determined using gas chromatography. The solubilities of the C₅ hydrocarbons in liquid argon at 87.3K vary from 0.61 × 10^–7 mole fraction for cyclopentane, to 1.37 × 10^–7 mole fraction for pentane, and 8.83 × 10^–6 mole fraction for 2-methylbutane. The Preston–Prausnitz method was used for calculation of the solubilities of solid C₅ hydrocarbons in liquid argon in the temperature range 84–110 K and in liquid nitrogen in the range 64–90K. The values of the solvent–solute interaction constant l ₁₂ were also calculated.     

Tunable Diode Laser Diagnostic Studies of H2-Ar-O2 Microwave Plasmas Containing Methane or Methanol

Tunable infrared diode laser absorption spectroscopy has been used to detect the methyl radical and ten stable molecules in H₂-Ar-O₂ microwave plasmas containing up to 7.2% of methane or methanol, under both flowing and static conditions. The degree of dissociation of the hydrocarbons varied between 30 and 90% and the methyl radical concentration was found to be in the range 10 ¹⁰ –10 ¹² molecules cm ^–3 . The methyl radical concentration and the concentrations of the stable C-2 hydrocarbons C ₂ H ₂ , C ₂ H ₄ , and C ₂ H ₆ , produced in the plasma decayed exponentially when increasing amounts of O ₂ were added at fixed methane or methanol partial pressures. In addition to detecting the hydrocarbon species, the major products CO, CO ₂ , and H ₂ O were also monitored. For the first time, formaldehyde, formic acid, and methane were detected in methanol microwave plasmas, formaldehyde was detected in methane microwave plasmas. Chemical modeling with 57 reactions was used to successfully predict the concentrations in methane plasmas in the absence of oxygen and the trends for the major chemical product species as oxygen was added.     

Conversion of natural gas to C2 hydrocarbons through dielectric-barrier discharge plasma catalysis

The experiments are carried out in the system of continuous flow reactors with dielectric-barrier discharge (DBD) for studies on the conversion of natural gas to C₂ hydrocarbons through plasma catalysis under the atmosphere pressure and room temperature. The influence of discharge frequency, structure of electrode, discharge voltage, number of electrode, ratio of H₂/CH₄, flow rate and catalyst on conversion of methane and selectivity of C₂ hydrocarbons are investigated. At the same time, the reaction process is investigated. Higher conversion of methane and selectivity of C₂ hydrocarbons are achieved and deposited carbons are eliminated by proper choice of parameters. The appropriate operation parameters in dielectric-barrier discharge plasma field are that the supply voltage is 20–40 kV (8.4–40 W), the frequency of power supply is 20 kHz, the structure of (b) electrode is suitable, and the flow of methane is 20–60 mL · min⁻¹. The conversion of methane can reach 45%, the selectivity of C₂ hydrocarbons is 76%, and the total selectivity of C₂ hydrocarbons and C₃ hydrocarbons is nearly 100%. The conversion of methane increases with the increase of voltage and decreases with the flow of methane increase; the selectivity of C₂ hydrocarbons decreases with the increase of voltage and increases with the flow of methane increase. The selectivity of C₂ hydrocarbons is improved with catalyst for conversion of natural gas to C₂ hydrocarbons in plasma field. Methane molecule collision with radicals is mainly responsible for product formation.     

New catalytic reaction: Oxidative condensation of methane to cyclopropane

During the oxidative dimerization of methane on a titanium silicide catalyst, a cyclic hydrocarbon, cyclopropane, was detected in the reaction products together with C₂ and C₃ open-chain hydrocarbons.L. V. Pisarzhevskii Institute of Physical Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, Kiev. Translated from Teoreticheskaya i Éksperimental'naya Khimiya, Vol. 27, No. 2, pp. 231–232, March–April, 1991. Original article submitted November 14, 1990.     

Hydrogen isotope exchange reaction rate in tritium and methane mixed gas

Hydrogen isotope exchange reaction rate in tritium and methane mixed gas, as induced by tritium decay and beta radiation, has been experimentally measured. Initially T₂ gas was filled to 40 kPa and 20 kPa of CH₄ gas was added. The mixed gas spectrum was analyzed periodically by laser Raman spectrometry. The first order HT and H₂ formation rates and T₂ and CH₄ decay rates by hydrogen isotope exchange reaction were observed between 2.9·10^–3 h^–1 and 4.8·10^–3 h^–1. Although the estimated hydrogen isotope exchange reaction rate was 1/20–1/10 slower than the rate of H₂+T₂ mixed gases, it was nearly equivalent to the ion formation rate by tritium beta radiation. This suggested that isotopic hydrogen radicals formed via ionization would disappear in the presence of methane.     

The oxidative coupling of methane

Summary The oxidative coupling of methane to C₂ hydrocarbons was studied over a Bi₂O₃–P₂O₅–K₂O catalyst. Catalysts containing Bi and P are known to be active and selective catalysts for the oxidative dimerization of propylene to 1,5-hexadiene. This catalyst system was found to also be active and selective for the oxidative coupling of methane. The experimental results are interpreted in terms of a dual-site, redox model. Methane activation to form CH₃. is proposed to occur on Bi sites. The Bi site is subsequently reoxidized by bulk oxide ions and P becomes the oxygen inlet site. Adsorbed surface oxygen species reduce the selectivity to C₂ hydrocarbons.     

Coordination chemistry of poly(1-pyrazolyl)alkanes,part IV. Copper(II) complexes of bis- and tris-(1-pyrazolyl)methane

Summary The reactions of some copper(II) salts with bis(1-pyrazolyl)methane, H₂Cbpz, bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)methane, H₂Cbdmpz, and tris(1-pyrazolyl)methane, HCtpz give the following solid complexes: CuLX₂ · nH₂O (L=H₂Cbpz, H₂Cbdmpz or HCtpz; X=Cl^–, Br^–, NO ₃ ^– , OAc^–, or 1/2 SO ₄ ^2– and n=0, 1, 3 or 5) and CuL₂X₂ · nH₂O (L=HCtpz, X= C^–, Br^–, NO ₃ ^– or ClO ₄ ^– and n=0 or 2). The complexes have been characterised by elemental analysis, visible and i.r. spectral measurements.The reactions of Cu(HCtpz)X₂ · nH₂O (X=Cl^– or Br^–) with acetylacetonate (acac^–), dialkyldithiocarbamate (S₂CNMe ₂ ^– , S₂CNEt ₂ ^– ) or poly(1-pyrazolyl)borate (H₂Bbpz^–, HBtpz^–) in aqueous solutions lead to the displacement of HCtpz and the subsequent formation of neutral [Cu(acac)₂], [Cu(S₂CNR₂)₂], [Cu(H₂Bbpz)₂] and Cu(HBtpz)₂ while the reaction with oxalate ion, C₂O ₄ ^2– yields a stable neutral solid compound, [Cu(HCtpz)(C₂O₄)].     

Catalytic methods for obtaining thiophene and alkylthiophenes from petroleum refining products and sulfur-containing organic compounds

This review is devoted to catalytic methods for obtaining thiophene and alkylthiophenes from C₂-C₆ hydrocarbons and from various organosulfur compounds — aliphatic sulfides, mercaptans, alkylthiophenes, thiophane, and sulfones. Multicomponent chromium-containing catalysts have considerable activity in the majority of the reactions. The catalytic method for obtaining thiophene and alkylthiophenes by the reaction of C₂-C₆ hydrocarbons with hydrogen sulfide may be the most promising one.Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 10, pp. 1299–1312, October, 1971.     

Properties of pentasil-containing catalysts in hydrocarbon conversions. 7. Benzene alkylation by lower alkanes in the presence of modified zeolites

A novel catalytic synthesis of alkylaromatic hydrocarbons (AArH) containing C₇-C₈ has been achieved using C₂-C₄, alkanes as alkylating reagents on high silica zeolites of the pentasil type. It has been established that the yield of AArH during the reaction between benzene and alkanes varies in the order C₂H₆3H₈C₄C₁₀ (450–600°C). Modification of the zeolite by additions of Pt, Zn, and Ga results in a lowering of the reaction temperature (by 100°C) and alters the selectivity of the alkylation process. On passing from flow to static conditions and raising the pressure to 2–4 MPa the AArH yield doubles and reaches 70–75% in the case of C₃-C₄ hydrocarbons.For previous communication, see [1].Deceased.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 10, pp. 2228–2232, October, 1991.     

Hydrogenation of carbon monoxide over technetium catalysts

Supported Tc catalysts are active in CO hydrogenation, their activity depending on the nature of the support. The reaction proceeds predominantly toward methane formation. All catalysts studied yielded very little C₂ and C₃ hydrocarbons. The thermal desorption data indicate that the CO strongly bound to the substrate is responsible for CH₄ formation.Institute of Physical Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117915 Moscow. Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 7, pp. 1507–1511, July, 1992.     

Partial oxidation and oxidative condensation of methane with the participation of N2O on a V2O5/SiO2 catalyst

The catalytic reaction of CH₄, with N₂O at 773–823 K on a V₂O₅/SiO₂ catalyst affords products of the partial oxidation (HCHO and CH₃OH), exhaustive oxidation (CO), and oxidative condensation (C₂H₅OH and CH₃CHO) of methane. A mechanism is proposed for the complex reaction, including the intermediate compounds V⁵⁺O and V⁴⁺CH₃OH as common intermediates for all the routes.Translated from Teoreticheskaya i Éksperimental'naya Khimiya, Vol. 23, No. 5, pp. 641–646, September–October, 1987.     

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the n-alkanes C9-C17 and pristane in clean air masses

Summary An analytical method was developed for measuring n-alkanes (C₉ to C₁₇) and other hydrocarbons in tropospheric air with mixing ratios of a few ppt (10^–12) and higher. The hydrocarbons are collected in situ in absorption tubes, carefully protected against contamination and analysed later in the laboratory by gas chromatography. First data are reported for Atlantic air masses at the west coast of Ireland.

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Qualitative und quantitative Analyse der n-Alkane C₉-C₁₇ und von Pristan in reiner Luft

Zusammenfassung Es wurde eine analytische Methode entwickelt zur Messung der n-Alkane (C₉ bis C₁₇) und anderer Kohlenwasserstoffe in reiner troposphärischer Luft mit Mischungsverhältnissen von einigen ppt (10^–12) und aufwärts. Die Kohlenwasserstoffe wurden am Beobachtungsort angereichert, sorgfältig gegen Verunreinigung geschützt und später im Laboratorium gas-chromatographisch analysiert. Erste Daten für atlantische Luftmassen an der Westküste Irlands werden mitgeteilt.

     

Gas-Chromatographic Determination of Gaseous Hydrocarbons in Aqueous Solutions Using Chromatomembrane Gas Extraction

A procedure was developed for the gas-chromatographic determination of gaseous hydrocarbons (C₁–C₄) in aqueous solutions using the continuous chromatomembrane gas extraction of test substances from a flow of the test solution. The procedure provides the rapid determination of background concentrations of methane in natural waters (0.1–1.0 g/L).     

Heterogeneous methane oxidative coupling using perovskites

Catalytic oxidative coupling of methane over perovskite CaTiO₃ prepared by modified ceramic method has been studied. The C₂ yield was 13% at 830 °C and promotion with Na₄P₂O₇ did not improve considerably the catalyst peformance. Regarding reactor test and mechanism studies it is believed that charge deficient, oxygen O^– generated by transforming oxygen adsorbed on surface defects and dissolved into bulk vacancies is responsible for activating methane (active site). Adsorbed oxygen generates the oxidizing sites for actived methane. Strict conditions are required for generation and regeneration of the activating sites in lattice.     

Paramagnetic complexes of nickel(I) stabilized by norbornadiene

Nickel(I) compounds whose concentration was 10^–4–10^–6 of the total concentration of nickel added to the system were identified by EPR in the reaction of 2,5-norbornadiene with nickel homoligand allyl complexes Niall₂ (all is C₃H₅, 1-CH₃C₃H₄, or 2-CH₃C₃H₄). The Ni(I) complexes were stable at room temperature under oxygen-free conditions. It was shown that the paramagnetic complexes were in equilibrium with diamagnetic forms. The temperature dependence of the concentration of the paramagnetic species was determined. The structure of the paramagnetic nickel(I) complexes and the possible routes of their formation are discussed on the basis of the obtained data.Translated from Teoreticheskaya i Éksperimental'naya Khimiya, Vol. 26, No. 4, pp. 490–493, July–August, 1990.