METHANE CONVERSION APPARATUS AND PROCESS USING A SUPERSONIC FLOW REACTOR

摘要

Apparatus and methods are provided for converting methane in a feed stream to acetylene. A hydrocarbon stream is introduced into a supersonic reactor and pyrolyzed to convert at least a portion of the methane to acetylene. The reactor effluent stream may be treated to convert acetylene to another hydrocarbon process. An acid washing system is employed to wash the reactor effluent to remove any copper acetylide byproducts that may be present in the reactor effluent, or alternatively to decompose any copper acetylide byproducts that may remain in the reactor after shutdown of the reactor.