The extraction of methanol via the partial oxidation of methane over a hierarchical Co/ZSM-5 catalyst

Methanol is one of the main products obtained from the partial oxidation of methane over a mesoporous Co/ZSM-5 catalyst. The cobalt species are present as cobalt oxides. Issues associated with the extraction of methanol from the zeolite surface include the carbon imbalance caused by the transformation of methane in the catalyst pores as well as low extraction efficiency. The developed extraction method involved the use of a dry solvent and a mixture of the solvent with water for the reliable quantitative measurement and enhancement of product recovery. Furthermore, extraction parameters such as solvent type and volume, extraction time, and number of extraction cycles were investigated. A mixture of 1:1 ethanol and water afforded a methanol recovery of 94.2%. Optimum extraction was achieved using 1 mL of solvent/0.15 g of catalyst, an extraction time of 30 min, and three extraction cycles. As reuse was crucial for catalyst performance, Fourier transform infrared spectra revealed that the extraction solvent did not significantly affect the catalyst structure.