Isotopic GCMS study of the mechanism of methane partial oxidation to synthesis gas

The mechanism of the partial oxidation of methane was studied by combining an isotopic pulse with a gas chromatography-mass spectrum. Large quantities of CHD3, CH2D2 and CH3D, besides CH4 and CD4, were found in the exit gas for a pulse reaction of CH4/CD4/O2 (1/1/1) at 600 deg C over a reduced NiO/SiO2 catalyst. Thus, CH, CH2 and CH3 species are produced during the reaction or that CH4 is activated through its dissociation before its oxidation. The dissociation of methane was found not to be rate determining.