Ethylene production by the oxidative condensation of methane in the presence of MnMW/SiO2 catalysts (M = Na, K, and Rb)

Abstract

The samples of MnMW/SiO₂ (M = Na, K, and Rb) were synthesized using various synthesis methods under varied heat treatment conditions and their physicochemical properties and activity in the reaction of the oxidative condensation of methane (OCM) were studied for the development of an effective catalyst for the resource-saving process of natural gas conversion into ethylene. It was found that the preparation method exerts an effect on the textural characteristics of the samples and the reducing properties of the cations of manganese and tungsten. It was determined that the composition of a W-containing phase depends on the alkali metal, and a ratio between the polymorphous modifications of SiO₂ is controlled by the method of synthesis and the conditions of catalyst heat treatment. It was established that the yield of C₂ hydrocarbons in the OCM reaction increased with the use of incipient wetness impregnation instead of the method of mixing with a suspension for catalyst preparation and with an increase in the catalyst heat treatment temperature from 700 to 1000°C. The optimum composition of the catalyst and the condition of its synthesis were found: 2Mn_0.8Na₃W/SiO₂ obtained by the impregnation method and calcined at 1000°C ensured the yield of target products of ~20% with a CH₄ conversion of ~35% at a reaction temperature of 850°C.