Co-generation of C₂ hydrocarbons and synthesis gases from methane and carbon dioxide: A thermodynamic analysis

Thermodynamic chemical equilibrium analysis using the method of direct minimization of Gibbs free energy for all possible CH₄ and CO₂ reactions was carried out. The effects of CO₂/CH₄ feed ratio, reaction temperature, and system pressure on equilibrium composition, conversion, selectivity, and yield were studied. The CO₂/CH₄ feed ratio, reaction temperature, and system pressure gave significant effect on the equilibrium composition, equilibrium conversion, selectivity, and yield. CO₂ OCM reaction was less favorable. However, the performance of the CO₂ OCM reaction might be more favorable, but not impressive in the presence of a suitable catalyst. The range of operating conditions at equilibrium for the CH₄ and CO₂ reactions at which no carbon was formed could be recommended. No carbon formation region was at > 1000 K and CO₂/CH₄ ratio larger than 1:1.