Abstract:
Catalytic partial oxidation of Methane was executed over various fly ash derived zeolite4A supported cobalt catalyst. The zeolitic support was prepared by two step hydrothermal treatment of fly ash from local coal fire plant. After the Zeolite 4A synthesis, cobalt content of 2.5, 5 ,7.5 and 10 weight percent was impregnated on Zeolite 4A through wet impregnation method. Characterization of the prepared samples were done by SEM, XRD, FTIR, TGA and BET. The prepared catalysts sample were tested and operated at 800 °C, atmospheric pressure with feed gas mixture containing CH4 and O in molecular ratio CH4 /O2 = 2 in thermcraft vertical fixed bed reactor. The calculations carried out showed, that the best sample was with 10% weight loading of cobalt and it showed the methane conversion of 65% with Co selectivity above 50% and hydrogen yield near 50% .The sample with 10% weight loading run smoothly on stream for 10 hours. It can be inferred that the use of cobalt based catalyst for Partial Oxidation of Methane in comparison to other metals (especially nickel and Iron) is advantageous due to less deposition of carbon on the catalytic surface and hence less deactivation problems and produce clean hydrogen in comparison to SMR other than as an economical process due to efficient heat management . Finally, characterization of the spent catalyst was a carried out and results showed that catalyst retain its structure and most of its properties.
