SEPARATION METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR OXIDATIVE COUPLING OF METHANE

摘要

The present disclosure provides a method for generating higher hydrocarbon(s) from a stream comprising compounds with two or more carbon atoms (C2+), comprising introducing methane and an oxidant (e.g., O2) into an oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) reactor. The OCM reactor reacts the methane with the oxidant to generate a first product stream comprising the C2+ compounds. The first product stream can then be directed to a separations unit that recovers at least a portion of the C2+ compounds from the first product stream to yield a second product stream comprising the at least the portion of the C2+ compounds.

主权项

1. A method for generating compounds with two or more carbon atoms (C2+ compounds), comprising:
(a) directing oxygen (O2) and methane (CH4) into an oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) reactor that reacts said O2 and CH4 in an OCM process to yield a product stream comprising (i) C2+ compounds including ethylene (C2H4) and (ii) carbon dioxide (CO2); and (b) directing said product stream from said OCM reactor into a separations unit that employs a CO2 separation unit to separate said CO2 from said product stream and enrich said C2+ compounds in said product stream, which CO2 separation unit employs (i) sorbent or solvent separation of CO2, (ii) membrane separation of CO2, (iii) cryogenic or low temperature separation of CO2 having an operating temperature greater than a boiling point of methane and less than a boiling point of CO2, (iv) metal-organic framework-based separation, or (v) antisublimation separation of CO2.