SELECTIVE SYNTHESIS OF LIQUID HYDROCARBONS FROM CARBON-DIOXIDE AND METHANE

The synthesis of liquid hydrocarbons from carbon dioxide and methane was studied under pressurized conditions using two stage reactor process composed of methane reforming by CO2 and Fischer-Tropsch reaction. A nickel supported magnesia catalyst gave the equilibrium conversion of CH4 and CO2 above 850-degrees-C. On a Co-La/SiO2 catalyst the CO conversion was 20 % at 250-degrees-C and 0.7 MPa and the selectivity to C5+ hydrocarbon was 70%. The major by-product in the second reactor was CH4, which can be recycled into the first reforming reactor.