CH4 Oxidation on LaFeO3 Perovskite Catalysts for O2 Removal from Biomethane

Abstract For the introduction of biomethane into the natural gas grid, the removal of O 2 is mandatory. Thus, the conversion of O 2 with excess CH 4 was investigated using LaFeO 3 catalysts. The variation of calcination temperature led to LaFeO 3 perovskites with different properties as deduced from extensive physical‐chemical characterization. From coupling the characteristics with the catalytic performance, a structure–activity correlation was derived showing that BET surface area and crystalline structure are determining features. Consequently, the most active LaFeO 3 exhibited complete O 2 conversion already at 310 °C. Kinetic modeling based on a Langmuir–Hinshelwood mechanism provided suitable operation parameters for a plug flow reactor. The model was validated by predicting experiments.