OXIDATIVE TRAPPING OF DILUTE METHANE WITH COPPER EXCHANGED ZEOLITES

Methane has the second largest contribution to anthropogenic global warming after CO2. Remediation of methane in common emission streams is challenging because the methane concentrations are often dilute, methane is relatively difficult to oxidize, and many processes leading to methane emissions are difficult to replace with alternative technology. The use of highly reactive oxidation sites on the surface of copper exchanged zeolites to oxidize methane in low concentrations and at low temperatures and pressures will be investigated. The aim is to convert the methane to products that are effectively trapped onto the zeolite (e.g. methanol or methoxy) - there by removing the methane from the emission stream.