Partial oxidation of methane in Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3−δ membrane reactor at high pressures

Oxygen permeation fluxes through dense disk-shaped Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3−δ (BSCFO) membranes were investigated as a function of temperature (973–1123 K), pressure (2–10 atm), and membrane thickness (1–2 mm) under an air/helium gradient. A high oxygen permeation flux of 2.01 ml/cm2 min was achieved at 1123 K and 10 atm under an air/He oxygen partial pressure gradient. Based on the dependence of the oxygen permeation flux on the oxygen partial pressure difference across the membrane and the membrane thickness, it is assumed that bulk diffusion of oxygen ions was the rate-controlling step in the oxygen transport across the BSCFO membrane disk under an air/He gradient. The partial oxidation of methane (POM) to syngas using LiLaNiOx/γ-Al2O3 as catalyst in a BSCFO membrane reactor was successfully performed at high pressure (5 atm). Ninety-two percent methane conversion, 90% CO selectivity, and 15.5 ml/cm2 min oxygen permeation flux were achieved in steady state at a temperature of 1123 K and a pressure of 5 atm. A syngas production rate of ∼79 ml/cm2 min was obtained. Characterization of the membrane surface by SEM and XRD after reaction showed that the surface exposed to the air side preserved the Perovskite structure while the surface exposed to the reaction side was eroded.