Methane conversion into synthesis gas using an electrochemical membrane reactor

Ni metal supported on a perovskite-type oxide (Ca0.8Sr0.2Ti1−xFexO3−α) has been developed as a high-performance anode catalyst of an electrochemical membrane reactor for CH4 conversion into synthesis gas. Synthesis gas production has been accelerated by electrochemical oxygen pumping, and selectivity to CO at 900°C was almost 100%. The Ni/Ca0.8Sr0.2Ti0.9Fe0.1O3−α catalyst exhibits excellent stability for carbon deposition under the CH4 conversion compared with that over Ni/Al2O3 as a typical catalyst for CH4 conversion. This is attributed to the oxidation of carbon deposits by the lattice oxygen species migrating to the Ni–Ca0.8Sr0.2Ti0.9Fe0.1O3−α boundary with mixed conduction in Ca0.8Sr0.2Ti0.9Fe0.1O3−α.