Multi-response optimization strategy for catalyst compositions and process parameters design for CO2-OCM process over CaO-MnO/CeO2 catalyst

Abstract

The catalytic CO2-OCM (Carbon Dioxide Oxidative Coupling of Methane) reaction to produce C2+ hydrocarbons is considered to be one of the most effective uses of natural gas in the gas-based petrochemical industries. A new hybrid numerical approach, using Weighted Sum of Squared Objective Functions (WSSOF) algorithm, was developed for multi-response optimization of CO2-OCM. The hybrid approach combined the response surface methodology (RSM) and MATLAB optimization tools to produce a set of Pareto-optimal solutions. An additional criterion was proposed over the Pareto-optimal solutions to obtain a final unique solution. Maximum responses of any two combinations of C2+ selectivity, C2+ yield and CH4 conversion were obtained simultaneously at the corresponding optimal conditions of CO2/CH4 ratio, reactor temperature, as well as wt% CaO and wt% MnO in the Ce02-supported catalyst.