PARTIAL OXIDATION OF METHANE TO METHANOL IN LIQUID PHASE

• Main Author: Nuril Fissama, Rashal
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/75702
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

<p align="justify">To achieve affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy access, the Indonesian government is focusing on the development of clean energy, including the use of methanol as an alternative fuel for the future. Methanol has the potential to be a crucial component in biodiesel production, a renewable and environmentally friendly energy source. The demand for methanol in the industry is increasing, making its development crucial. Additionally, the abundant biogas generated from the liquid waste of palm oil mills in Indonesia can be utilized as raw material for the chemical industry and fuel. In the chemical industry, this biogas can be used as a feedstock for methanol production through a simple oxidation reaction. This study aims to perform the partial oxidation of methane into methanol using a biomimetic catalyst via methyl formate as an appropriate method to prevent further oxidation of methanol. The experimental process involves the coprecipitation of Mn3+-Zn2+ oxide-hydroxide using urea hydrolysis, resulting in uniform MnOOH and ZnO solids used as catalysts in the oxidation reaction. The research results demonstrate that the oxidation reaction successfully yields methyl formate as the main product. Methyl formate acts as a form of methanol that is protected from further oxidation, similar to the process observed in methanotrophic bacteria that directly oxidize methane into methanol using ambient oxygen. This partial oxidation process exhibits potential as an alternative, more efficient, and selective method for methanol production, with significant implications for the methanol industry and overall clean energy development.