ChemInform Abstract: Conversion of Methane to Higher Alkanes by Ruthenium Loaded Zr3(PO4)4

Methane conversion to higher hydrocarbons at temperatures ranging from 100 to 400°C was studied on ruthenium loaded zirconium phosphate 'Zr3(PO4)4' using a two-step reaction procedure. During the first step, the catalyst was exposed to a flow of pure methane in order to deposit carbonaceous species on its surface. During the second step, after interrupting the methane flow, the surface species were submitted to a continuous flow of hydrogen. Hydrocarbons ranging from C2 to C5 were observed to evolve. Their distribution as the reaction temperature was raised, varied in favour of the heaviest ones. Of the three loaded supports A1203, A1PO4, Zr3(PO4)4 investigated under similar conditions, zirconium phosphate exhibited the best activity per gram of metal. However, expressed per unit of ruthenium surface area, the activities were found to decrease as the metal dispersion increased whatever be the support.