The novel catalyst facilitates a two-step reaction: first, the zeolite converts methane into methanol ... the zeolite and providing a continuous oxygen supply for the conversion process.

For a start, the reaction isn’t very efficient. To make methane, hydrogen has to be produced ... For instance, for an astronaut’s life-support, oxygen is produced by water electrolysis ...

If air is used in the reaction rather than pure oxygen, the inert gas nitrogen will be present. Air is about 79% nitrogen by volume and 21% oxygen by volume. For a stoichiometric combustion reaction ...