CALCULATION OF REACTION-RATE CONSTANTS IN HETEROGENEOUS OXIDATION OF METHANE.

In the investigation reported the heterogeneous oxidation of methane to formaldehyde by atmospheric oxygen was carried out in fluidized beds of aluminosilicate catalyst and of aluminosilicate promoted with oxides of group II metals of particle size 0. 75 mm. To increase the yield of the end product, a homogeneous initiator (0. 2-0. 5% on the total volume of the mixture) forming methyl radicals under the process conditions was introduced into the zone of contact of the methane-air mixture with the catalyst. Apart from raising the product yield and lowering the optimal process temperature, the presence of a homogeneous initiator in the reaction zone does not lead to formation of impurities which would have to be removed from the formaldehyde. Experimental data are tabulated and used to calculate the reaction-rate constants. The agreement of the mathematical model with experimental data was verified. It is shown that an introduction of a homogeneous initiator increases the rate constant of formaldehyde formation and does not affect its oxidation.