The O3 Sensitized Partial Oxidation of CH4 to CH3OH

Abstract The reaction of methane-oxygen mixtures with ozone as a sensitizer in the feed-gas was quantitatively studied at near atmospheric pressure in a dual-flow system. Ozone was generated by a silent discharge. The influences of reaction temperature, oxygen concentration in the feed-gas and residence time in the reactor were investigated. Methanol selectivities between 7.0 and 54 % with HCHO selectivities between 1.0 and 21 % were observed for CH 4 conversion equal to or less than 7.3 %. The selectivities of CO were found to be between 27 and 78 %, but the selectivities of CO 2 were between 2.1 and 7.6 %.