Reaction induced current generation by butane oxidation in high temperature electrochemical membrane reactor

The electrocatalytic n-butane oxidation has been investigated in an electrochemical membrane reactor with yttria-stabilized zirconia as a solid electrolyte and Pt as cathodic and Au as anodic electrode material, respectively. Vanadyl pyrophosphate (VPO) catalyst layer was deposited on the anode. The investigations of butane partial oxidation were carried out at temperatures between 823 and 873 K in semi-batch and continuous operating mode. The desired product maleic anhydride was detected in the product stream simultaneously as electrical current was generated in the system. The catalyst performance and the induced current level were stable over some hours of operation, after which the catalyst activity gradually reduced due to the insufficient oxygen supply. The reduced catalyst was rejuvenated easily by re-oxidation. In the semi-batch operation mode, pulses of the induced current were observed depending on the hydrocarbon concentration and the oxidation reactions, which were occurring in the anodic compartment.