| 摘要 |
The present invention relates to a process for converting natural gas into higher alkanes having at least 3 carbon atoms (C 3+ ), preferably at least 4 carbon atoms (C 4 +). The process comprises: a stage (1) comprising contacting natural gas with a metal catalyst (C1) capable of producing, in contact with alkane, reactions involving the splitting and recombining of carbon-carbon and/or carbon-hydrogen and/or carbon-metal bonds, so as to form a mixture (M1) comprising ethane and hydrogen, optionally a stage (2) comprising separating ethane from the mixture (M1) so as to isolate the ethane, a stage (3) for metathesis of the ethane, comprising contacting ethane isolated in stage (2) or the mixture (M1) obtained in stage (1) with a metal catalyst (C2) conforming to the same definition as that of the catalyst (C1), either identical to or different from the catalyst (C1), so as to form a mixture (M2) comprising higher alkanes (C 3+ ), preferably (C 4+ ), and methane, and a stage (4) comprising separating the higher alkanes (C 3+ ), preferably (C 4+ ), so as to isolate said higher alkanes. The catalysts (C1) and (C2) can be chosen from metal catalysts capable of alkane metathesis, particularly from supported metal clusters and preferably from metal hydrides, organo-metallic compounds and organometallic hydrides, in particular supported on, especially grafted onto, a solid support. |
