Methane aromatization in the absence of an added oxidant and the bench scale reaction test

Abstract

A bench scale reaction test for methane aromatization in the absence of an added oxidant was performed and its reaction result evaluated based on the carbon balance of the system. The result was compared with those obtained from the micro‐reaction test to ensure the accuracy of the internal standard analyzing method employed in this paper. The catalytic performances of modified Mo/HZSM‐5 catalysts were examined. It was found that pre‐treatment by steam on HZSM‐5 weakened the serious deposition of coke, and pre‐impregnation of n-ethyl silicate on HZSM‐5 could improve the conversion of CH₄, but had little effect on coke formation. A low temperature activation procedure including pre‐reduction of the catalyst with methane prevents the zeolite lattice from being seriously destroyed by high valence state Mo species when the Mo loading is high. It was suggested that Mo₂C species detected by XRD spectra was the active phase for CH₄ aromatization.