Conversion of methane to hydrocarbon(s) and/or oxygenate(s) - by steam reforming and catalytic synthesis gas conversion

摘要

Conversion of CH4-contg. gases, esp. natural gas, biogas (from refuse and/or agricultural waste) and/or cracking gas, to hydrocarbons, alcohols and/or phenols is effected by (a) mixing the gas with steam, (b) heating to 800-1100 deg.C, (c) cooling to 60-100 deg.C, (d) compressing to 1-6 MPa, (e) contacting with a catalyst while subjecting the gas to pressure pulses for 5-30 sec., and (f) distilling the prod. under pressure. The gas/steam mixt., is heated at 800-1100 deg.C for 1-8 (esp. 5) sec., or for 0.3-0.7 (esp. 0.5) sec. if a catalyst (esp. a Ni catalyst) is present. The mixt. is cooled to 60-100 deg.C in 0.2-0.8 (esp. 0.5) sec. and compressed until its temp. reaches 250-950 (esp. 300-450) deg.C. Step (e) is effected by contacting the gas mixt. with a Raney Ni catalyst while subjected it to pressure pulses of 1-10 (esp. 2-6) MPa. ADVANTAGE - The process is economic to operate and does not require selective catalysts.