Pyrolysis of Methane on a Resistive ZrO2/SiC Catalyst

Abstract

Dynamics of the methane pyrolysis on the ZrO₂/SiC resistive catalyst was studied at various temperatures. At a temperature of 1300C, the conversion of methane passes through a maximum (55%) at the 60th minute, with the selectivity with respect to acetylene monotonically increasing during the whole experiment. The method of scanning electron microscopy with EDAX analysis demonstrated that, during the first 10 min of an experiment, the ZrO₂/SiC is nearly fully carbonized at a temperature of 1300C. Also, a layered carbon coating is formed on the catalyst surface in the course of the experiment, with C₂ hydrocarbons still present in pyrolysis products. It was shown that the carbon deposits formed on the catalyst surface are catalytically active in the process of acetylene formation. Regeneration of the catalyst does not fully restore its catalytic properties.