(464a) Cermet-Based Hydrogen Transport Membrane Reactors for Conversion of Methane to Value-Added Chemicals

An abundance of natural gas presents new opportunities for use in the chemical industry, particularly gas-to-liquids (GTL) applications. The catalytic conversion of methane to benzene in the absence of oxygen is a reaction equilibrium-limited process (~12% at 700 °C, 1 atm) that may be enhanced by selective hydrogen removal. Cermet membranes consisting of a metal plated on a ceramic support provide the best combination of thermal stability, mechanical strength while enhancing the H2 flux. Nickel and palladium were electroless plated on porous alumina supports. The hydrogen separation performance of these membranes was evaluated for use in the methane-to-benzene process.