Methane aromatization catalyst, method of making and method of using the catalyst
A catalyst for converting methane to aromatic hydrocarbons is described herein. The catalyst comprises an active metal or a compound thereof, and an inorganic oxide support wherein the active metal is added to the support in the form of metal oxalate. The metal oxalate-derived catalyst exhibits superior performance in the conversion of methane-rich feed to aromatics products relative to catalysts prepared from non-oxalate metal precursors. A method of making the catalyst and a method of using the catalyst are also described.
1. A methane aromatization catalyst comprising an oxide of an active metal or a compound thereof, and an inorganic oxide support wherein the active metal is added to the support as a metal oxalate, and wherein the active metal comprises molybdenum.
2. A catalyst as claimed in claim 1 wherein a promoter compound is added to the support.
3. A catalyst as claimed in claim 1 wherein the inorganic oxide support is a zeolite or zeolite-containing support.
4. A catalyst as claimed in claim 1 wherein the molybdenum concentration in the catalyst is in the range of from 4 to 15 wt %.
5. A catalyst as claimed in claim 1 wherein the molybdenum concentration in the catalyst is in the range of from 6 to 10 wt %.
6. A catalyst as claimed in claim 1 wherein the active metal further comprises germanium.
7. A catalyst as claimed in claim 1 wherein the active metal further comprises ruthenium.
8. A catalyst as claimed in claim 1 wherein the active metal further comprises rhodium.
9. A catalyst as claimed in claim 1 wherein the active metal further comprises silver.
10. A catalyst as claimed in claim 1 wherein the active metal further comprises tungsten.
11. A catalyst as claimed in claim 1 wherein the active metal further comprises rhenium.
12. A catalyst as claimed in claim 1 wherein the active metal further comprises platinum.
13. A catalyst as claimed in claim 1 wherein the active metal further comprises lead.