| 研究実績の概要 |
This project focuses on the development and implementation of catalytic membrane technology for the selective oxidation of methane. The first target is the development of inorganic microporous silica-based membranes with high permeance for oxidants, which will allow the controlled delivery of oxidants to the catalyst bed. A second objective is the development of bimetallic catalysts, wherein one metal can activate the methane while the other activates oxygen. Finally, these two systems will be implemented together into a catalytic membrane reactor capable of operating a methane oxidation reaction under high concentrations of methane and oxygen.
Significant progress was made in the recent year on all aspects of the project. Membrane development has progressed using several types of organometallic precursors to form tightly controlled pore structures using chemical vapor deposition. These membranes are capable of selectively separating oxygen and methane while maintaining a high oxygen permeance into the catalyst bed. Additionally, several catalysts have been developed using a wide range of metals and supports capable of oxidizing methane to methanol, formaldehyde and dimethyl ether with significant selectivity over CO2. These systems have been implemented into the catalytic membrane reactor system and partial oxygenate products are being produced in quantities higher than that found in various literature sources. Further experiments are planned to elucidate the mechanism of formation and define the ideal operating conditions of both the catalyst and membrane reactor systems.
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