Low-temperature coupling of methane

Methane is the main component of natural gas and its utilization amounts to ca. 1.7 109 tons of oil equivalent per year [1]. Since the present reserve of methane is located in remote places, its transportation is a major problem. Methane coupling to form C2+ hydrocarbons is, therefore, of a primary importance because before transportation methane should be converted into hydrocarbons with higher boiling points, such as ethane, propane, etc. The catalytic conversion of methane can be carried out in several ways which have excellently been reviewed in Refs. 1 and 2. Basically, three routes exist: (i) the indirect route in which methane is first converted into syngas in presence of water (steam reforming), CO2 (carbon dioxide reforming), or oxygen (partial oxidation) and the resultant syngas can be utilized in the traditional way; (ii) direct coupling in the presence of oxygen (oxidative coupling of methane, OCM) or hydrogen (two-step polymerization); and (iii) direct conversion in the presence of oxygen to oxygenates (CH3OH, HCOH), in the presence of Cl2, HCI to methane chlorides, in the presence of ammonia to HCN, etc

ON CORRELATION BETWEEN SURFACE STRUCTURE AND CATALYTIC ACTIVITY OF AMORPHOUS ALLOYS

The present paper is a review summarizing our results gained in the field of catalysis over amorphous alloys. The route leading to the formation of the catalytically active phase is presented and the factors which may play a decisive role in this process is discussed. Following the surface characterization of amorphous alloys led to the constructions of a surface model its modifying effects are described. Their catalytic properties are further influenced by the structure and the morphology. These parameters are crucial to the formation of the active metal ensembles and to the behaviour of reactants over the surface. These factors are discussed in detail for the utilization of amorphous alloys, primarily as catalyst precursors