Conversion of methane to C4+ aliphatic products in high yields using an integrated recycle reactor system

摘要

This invention relates to processes and systems for the conversion of methane in high yields to C4+ hydrocarbons. The principal steps of the recycle process include reacting methane and O2 in an oxidative coupling reactor over a Mn/Na2WO4/SiO2 catalyst at 800° C. to convert the methane to ethylene, and oligomerizing the ethylene product by reacting it with an H-ZSM-5 zeolite catalyst at 275° C. in a catalytic reactor for subsequent conversion of the ethylene to higher hydrocarbons. Total yields of C4+ products using the process of the invention are in the range of about 60% to about 80%, and yields of C4+ nonaromatic hydrocarbons are in the range of about 50% to about 60%.