Cavitation hydrocarbon refining

摘要

Short chain hydrocarbons such as methane, ethane and propane are upgraded by liquefying the hydrocarbons, subjecting the resulting liquids to cavitation to create free alkyl radicals and hydrogen ions, and allowing the free alkyl radicals and hydrogen ions to recombine to form longer chain hydrocarbons.

主权项

1. A process for upgrading a short chain hydrocarbon gas comprising the steps of cooling the short chain hydrocarbon gas below its boiling point to produce a liquid short chain hydrocarbon; subjecting the liquid short chain hydrocarbon to cavitation at energies sufficient to break at least one of C—H and C—C bonds; and allowing resulting hydrogen ions and free radicals to recombine to form a mixture of longer chain hydrocarbons and gaseous hydrogen.