Comprehensive kinetics of oxidative coupling of methane over the La2O3/CaO catalyst

A comprehensive 10-step kinetic model of the oxidative coupling of methane to C2+ hydrocarbons over a La2O3/CaO catalyst was developed on the basis of kinetic measurements in a microcatalytic fixed-bed reactor covering a wide range of reaction conditions (1 < p(O2) < 20 kPa, 10 < p(CH4) < 95 kPa, 700 < T < 955 degrees C, 0.76 m(Cat)/V-STP less than or equal to 250 kg.s/m(3)). The reaction scheme contains three primary and seven consecutive steps. The conversion of hydrocarbons and of carbon monoxide with oxygen were described by applying Hougen-Watson type rate equations. For the other reactions power-law rate equations were used. From the experimental data kinetic parameters, i.e. frequency factors, apparent activation energies, and adsorption enthalpies, were estimated. With the kinetic model the experimentally determined conversions of methane and oxygen, as well as yields to C-2 hydrocarbons and carbon oxides, could be predicted with an average accuracy of +/-20%.