Catalytic partial oxidation of methane over SrTiO3 with oxygen-permeable membrane reactor

The catalytic partial oxidation of methane to syngas over perovskite SrTiO3 was studied with Ce0.8Sm0.2O2−δ−La0.8Sr0.2CrO3−δ dual-phase composite membrane reactor. The catalytic performance strongly depends on both reaction temperature and CH4 feed rate. Approximately 74% CO and 75% H2 selectivity at 17% CH4 conversion can be achieved under the optimized membrane reactor operating conditions at 950 °C and CH4 feed rate of 20 ml min−1. The reaction routes were explored by a comparative study with conventional fixed-bed reactor, suggesting a direct CH4 partial oxidation route below 750 °C and obvious CO2 and steam reforming activities above 800 °C.