Development of Higher-Efficient Reforming of Methane Utilizing Special Reaction Zones

Abstract

Methane is attracting a great deal of attention as a next-generation carbon resource. It is a chemically unstable molecule, and it is difficult to convert it to low-grade or long-chain hydrocarbons. For example, the direct conversion of methane to ethane and hydrogen is usually accompanied by thermodynamic disturbances(ΔG(298 K) = 68.6 kJ/mol). On the other hand, highly-efficient reforming of methane may become possible if a separation reaction technique and a light irradiation field can be introduced by using a combination of a plasma zone, an electrical reaction zone, a membrane, plate catalysts, etc.
This paper describes the latest research and development results, with the emphasis on two keyword subjects: "high-efficiency methane reforming" and "special reaction zones."