Thermochemical Conversion of CH4 to C2-Hydrocarbons and H2 over SnO2/Fe3O4/SiO2 in Methane−Water Co-Feed System

Highly endothermic conversion of methane to C 2 -hydrocarbons and hydrogen was catalytically demonstrated over the SnO 2 /Fe 3 O 4 /SiO 2 at 1173 K under co-feeding of methane and steam. The main products were C 2 H 4, C 2 H 6, CO, CO 2, and hydrogen. At a low W / F value (a high GHSV), methane was selectively converted to C 2 -hydrocarbons and hydrogen, while at a high W / F value (a low GHSV), steam reforming of methane to produce CO and hydrogen became dominant. At the GHSV = 4000−12000 h - 1, 87−94% of C 2 selectivity with 4−6% of methane conversion was obtained at the C 2 -formation rate = 4−8 mmol-C h - 1 g - 1 -cat. This process offers the efficient conversion of natural gas to C 2 -hydrocarbon and hydrogen utilizing high-temperature heat such as concentrated solar radiation below 1173 K.