We proposed to demonstrate the effectiveness of a catalytic membrane reactor (a ceramic membrane combined with a catalyst) to selectively produce methanol by partial oxidation of methane. Methanol is used as a chemical feedstock, gasoline additive, and turbine fuel. Methane partial oxidation using a catalytic membrane reactor has been determined as one of the promising approaches for methanol synthesis from methane. In the original proposal, the membrane was used to be used to selectively remove methanol from the reaction zone before carbon oxides form, thus increasing the methanol yield. Methanol synthesis and separation in one step would also make methane more valuable for producing chemicals and fuels. The cooling tube inserted inside the membrane reactor has created a low temperature zone that rapidly quenches the product stream. This system has proved effective for increasing methanol selectivity during CH[sub 4] oxidation, and we are using and modifying this non-isothermal, non-permselective membrane reactor.

Photograph used for a story in the Daily Oklahoman newspaper. Caption: "While the University of Colorado football team revels in its on-field triumphs, its coach makes headlines in fields foreign to most of his peers."

Objective is to demonstrate the effectiveness of a catalytic membrane reactor (ceramic membrane combined with catalyst) to selectively produce methanol by partial oxidation of methane. None of the membranes tested in a high pressure system could selectively remove methanol, until a cooling tube was inserted inside the membrane reactor to quench the product stream; this effectively increased methanol selectivity 2[times] during methane oxidation. For both conditions, combined selectivity for methanol and CO is constant, 85%. The remaining product is CO[sub 2]. The membranes were broken when removed from the system; this was remedied when a cooling tube with a smaller diameter was used.

Objective is to demonstrate the effectiveness of a catalytic membrane reactor (ceramic membrane combined with catalyst) to selectively produce methanol by partial oxidation of methane. None of the membranes tested in a high pressure system could selectively remove methanol, until a cooling tube was inserted inside the membrane reactor to quench the product stream; this effectively increased methanol selectivity 2{times} during methane oxidation. For both conditions, combined selectivity for methanol and CO is constant, 85%. The remaining product is CO{sub 2}. The membranes were broken when removed from the system; this was remedied when a cooling tube with a smaller diameter was used.