Process for the thermal conversion of methane and reactor for this process

摘要

Process and device for thermal conversion of methane to higher molecular weight hydrocarbons, comprising a reactor (1), of elongated shape, connected at a first end, on the one hand, to the means for supplying (5) with a gas mixture containing methane (process gas) and, on the other hand, at the opposite end, to the discharge means (10), the said reactor comprising, on a first part (first end side), a plurality of elements, arranged in at least two sheets, substantially parallel with each other and substantially perpendicular to the axis of the reactor, one at least of these sheets comprising a series of sheaths (4) inside which are arranged electrical heating means (3) thus forming a sheet of heating elements, the said elements being arranged so as to define between themselves and/or between the sheets which they form and/or between themselves and the walls of the spaces passages for the circulation of the gas mixtures and/or for the effluents, the said heating means and the said sheaths being adapted to heat the said passages by successive independent transverse sections substantially perpendicular to the axis of the reactor, each transverse section containing at least one transverse row of elements and the said reactor additionally containing automatic control means and heating modulation means connected to the said heating means, and containing, in a second part (8) (opposite end side) contiguous with the first part, means for cooling (9) the effluents connected to the said means for supplying with liquid coolant.