Methane Valorization Processes: Challenges and Achievements

The valorization of methane sources to chemicals via direct conversion routes is a significant challenge, as the yields are far from economically interesting. Therefore, it is one of the most intensively studied research topics in catalysis. The search for an efficient process to convert methane to fuels and high added-value chemicals such as olefins, methanol and aromatics is inspired by two interrelated factors: (1) the constantly growing demand, as a result of rising living standards and population growth and (2) environmental concern regarding CO2 emission abatement. Rephrasing the truism “you cannot make money from methane by any direct route, except by burning it” sums up the great challenges of converting methane into fuels and chemicals in a cost-competitive way. Direct methane activation is one of the most challenging reactions the catalysis community faces: this goes without saying when considering the intensive and enormous amount of research on this topic, so far without any breakthrough development. For decades, catalysis has focused on producing small building blocks out of long oil molecules. C1 chemistry is placed at the top of current research mostly for the production of chemicals. The challenges are not trivial, since small and simple molecules (i.e. CH4, N2, and CO2) can be unreactive and/or difficult to activate. The purpose of this Chapter is to present the past and the future of methane valorization routes and to motivate researchers to work in this interesting and beneficial research area.