Partial oxidation of methane and generation of electricity using a PEMFC

Abstract

The aim of this work was to produce methanol through partial oxidation of methane. The gas fed in a solid membrane reactor- PEM fuel cell type (H2/H2O2 + CH4) has been used for electrosynthesis of methanol at room temperature, with electricity cogeneration as a benefit. It was observed that the current density measured when injected CH4 in the cathode decreased about 45%. This occurs due to the conversion of methane inmethanol in some ranges of potentials. In the other hand, in lower ranges of cell potential, formaldehyde was found. In this work, methane was injected on the cathode together with H2O2 solution, where it was observed that the catalytic layer adsorbed CH4 and H2O2 in active sites, which produced OH− radicals that reacted with the hydrocarbon.