PROCESS FOR THE CONVERSION OF METHANE TO C2+ HYDROCARBONS

摘要

A method of making ethane can comprise: introducing a chlorine stream and a methane stream to a first reaction zone comprising a metal oxide catalyst; converting the metal oxide to metal chloride and reacting the methane to form a product stream comprising the C2H4; introducing the metal chloride to a second reaction zone and introducing oxygen to convert the metal chloride to metal oxide and chlorine gas; and directing the metal oxide back to the first reaction zone. Also, a method of making ethane, comprising: introducing only a chlorine stream and a methane stream to a metal oxide catalyst to form the ethane and carbon dioxide, wherein the chlorine stream and the methane stream each comprise less than 1 vol% oxygen, and wherein metal oxide converts to metal chloride; and separately converting the metal chloride back to metal oxide with oxygen from an oxygen source, wherein chlorine gas is produced.