Methane to ethylene with 85 percent yield in a gas recycle electrocatalytic reactor-separator.

Methane was oxidatively coupled to ethylene with an ethylene yield up to 85 percent and a total C(2) hydrocarbon yield up to 88 percent in a gas recycle high-temperature (800 degrees C) electrocatalytic or catalytic reactor where the recycled gas passes continuously through a molecular sieve trap in the recycle loop. Oxygen is supplied either electrocatalytically by means of the solid electrolyte support of the silver-based catalyst or in the gas phase. The C(2) products are obtained by subsequent heating of the molecular sieve trap. The selectivity to ethylene is up to 88 percent for methane conversion up to 97 percent.

Cogeneration of electric energy and nitric oxide.

A solid electrolyte fuel cell operating on ammonia fuel has been constructed and tested. The yield of nitric oxide can exceed 60 percent with simultaneous electric energy production. Two dimensionless numbers have been identified which govern the product selectivity and power output of this fuel cell. The cell appears to be a promising candidate for nitric acid and electric energy cogeneration.