Statistical Analysis of Oxidative Coupling of Methane in Membrane Reactors

Abstract

Petroleum reserves are dwindling day by day, making the conversion of natural gas into other chemicals and fuels the major step in maintaining the fuel supplies and furthermore in contributing for the sustainable economic growth. Many a processes can be employed to achieve it but, compared to all the energy-intensive syn-gas formation techniques, the direct route that converts methane into higher hydrocarbons in one step employing oxidative coupling of methane is intensively studied here. This paper entirely focuses on reviewing the OCM technology in membrane reactor using the parametrical analysis procedure. In regards to which, parameters employed in the process such as temperature, feed ratio for different catalyst combinations are taken into consideration, owing to which the yield obtained and corresponding methane conversions are studied. The amount of impact these parameters have on the OCM process in the membrane reactor is analyzed by determining the effect percentages of the parameters individually using statistical analysis technique. The results make way for the formation of a hierarchical order of parameters, which gives a clarified view over the technique for the further developments to take place.