PRODUCTION OF FORMALDEHYDE FROM CH>4< AND H>2<S

摘要

A method wherein a sour natural gas stream can be treated to produce primarily carbon monoxide from methane, and the carbon monoxide and hydrogensulfide are reacted to produce methyl mercaptans, (primarily methanethiol (CH>3<SH) and a small amount of dimethyl sulfide (CH>3<SCH>3<)). The methyl mercaptans preferably are passed in contact with a catalyst comprising a supported metal oxide or a bulk metal oxide in the presence of an oxidizing agent and for a time sufficient to convert at least a portion of the methyl mercaptan to formaldehyde (CH>2<O), and sulfur dioxide (SO>2<).