Partial Oxidation of Methane by Fenton Reaction under Hydrothermal Environment

Abstract

Methanol is an important industrial material for the production of medicines, fuels, and resins. Methanol is generally synthesized under catalyst by reacting CO and H₂ through steam reforming of methane. This process is, however, energy consuming. Hence, a direct methanol synthesis method, which is less energy consuming, should be developed. The authors conducted flow-type partial oxidation of methane using the Fenton reaction under hydrothermal conditions for the direct synthesis of methanol from methane. Parameter variation included reaction temperatures of 100-250 °C, reaction times of 2-31 s, and initial H₂O₂/CH₄ molar flow rate ratios of 0.5-2.0. The methane conversion using the Fenton reaction was higher than that of the catalyst-free conversion at temperatures of less than 200 °C. The methane conversion reached the highest value of 6.04% at T = 200 °C, τ = 31 s, and H₂O₂/CH₄ = 2.0. Hence, it can be concluded that the Fenton reaction prompted the formation of hydroxyl radicals, reactive species. However, the methane conversion by the Fenton reaction decreased rapidly at T = 250 °C, resulting in a lower conversion value than that of the catalyst-free reaction.