Catalytic liquid phase oxidation of methane

PETR 161

Timothy A. Brandvold, timothy.brandvold@uop.com, Maureen L Bricker, Maureen.Bricker@uop.com, Wensheng Chen, wensheng.chen@uop.com, Joseph A. Kocal, joseph.kocal@uop.com, Joel T. Walenga, and Susan Yang. UOP LLC, 25 E. Algonquin Road, Des Plaines, IL 60017
Since 2004, UOP LLC has been investigating the direct conversion of methane to methanol derivatives as part of a NIST-ATP cost-shared program. A multidisciplinary approach combining catalyst preparation and testing, advanced characterization and molecular modeling has resulted in a promising low temperature, liquid phase pathway for methane utilization. The reaction uses hydrogen peroxide to oxidize methane in acidic solvents with palladium or copper salts as catalyst to produce the methyl ester corresponding to the acid solvent. A series of Design of Experiments (DOE) studies have been conducted to understand and optimize the catalyst and process variables associated with this potentially valuable transformation. Various aspects of this work will be presented.