Direct nonoxidative methane conversion ceramic membrane reactor with in-situ coke removal

Direct Non-oxidative Methane Conversion (DNMC) is a promising technology to convert abundant methane (CH 4 ) into more valuable olefin and aromatic chemicals (C 2+ ) and hydrogen (H 2 ). However, commercialization has been hindered by severe carbon deposition and low CH 4 conversion. Here, we demonstrate an Fe@SiO 2 DNMC catalyst integrated with a mixed proton, oxide-ion, and electron conducting membrane (SrCe 0.7 Zr 0.2 Eu 0.1 O 3-ⴃ ) that significantly improves single-pass CH 4 conversion and C 2+ product yield (∼20 % each) due to in-situ H 2 product removal through the membrane (Le Châtelier effect), and reactor lifetime due to in-situ carbon oxidation. The in-situ coke removal is achieved by simultaneous oxygen permeation from the membrane air sweep side resulting in only 4 wt% carbon deposition after 350 h of operation as compared to 70 wt% after 40 h for same catalyst in fixed bed reactor, thus dramatically improving catalyst durability. • Demonstrated mixed proton, oxide-ion, and electron conducting membrane reactor • Membrane reactor suppresses coke formation during Direct Non-oxidative Methane Conversion (DNMC) • Achieved ∼20 % CH₄ conversion and C₂ + product single-pass yield with no degradation for 350-h operation • Only 4 wt% carbon deposition after 350 h of operation at 1273 K