Catalytic Oxidative Coupling of Methane with a Dark Current in an Electric Field at Low External Temperatures
K. Oshima, K. Tanaka, T. Yabe, Y. Tanaka, and Y. Sekine
Department of Applied Chemistry, Waseda University, Japan
Abstract— Oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) assisted by a dark current in an electric field was investigated at low external temperature (423 K). The Sr-La2O3 catalyst showed higher yield of C2 (C2H4, C2H6) in the electric field than in the conventional catalytic reaction. Catalytic properties in the electric field and electrical properties of the catalyst were investigated. Results show that the electrical conductivity of dark current of the catalyst is an important factor for applying the electric field. A higher CH4/O2 ratio enabled high selectivity to C2 hydrocarbons. The maximum selectivity to C2 hydrocarbons was 59%.
Keywords— Dark current, electric field, catalytic reaction, natural gas conversion