Multi-tube reactor systems and processes for no-oxidative conversion of methane
AssigneeChevron U.S.A. Inc.
InventorsLin Li, Huping Luo, Xiaoying Ouyang, Alexander Kuperman
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Abstract
The present disclosure refers to systems and methods for efficiently converting a C1-C3 alkane such as natural gas to a liquid C2-C10 product and hydrogen. Generally, the process comprises flowing the C1-C3 alkane through a plurality of tubes within a vessel wherein the tubes house a catalyst for converting the C1-C3 alkane to the liquid C2-C10 product and hydrogen. The C1-C3 alkane is heated under suitable conditions to produce the liquid C2-C10 product and hydrogen. Advantageously, the C1-C3 alkane is heated by burning a fuel outside the tubes in fuel burning nozzles configured to transfer heat from the burning through the tubes.
Claims15
A process for converting a C1-C3 alkane to a C2-C10 product and hydrogen wherein the process comprises:
- flowing the C1-C3 alkane through a plurality of tubes within a vessel wherein the tubes house a catalyst for converting the C1-C3 alkane to the C2-C10 product and hydrogen;
- and
- heating the C1-C3 alkane under suitable conditions to produce the C2-C10 product and hydrogen;
- wherein the C1-C3 alkane is heated by burning a fuel outside the tubes in fuel burning nozzles configured to transfer heat from the burning through the tubes;
- wherein the catalyst comprises cylindrical pellets;
- and
- wherein at least a portion of the pellets comprise one or more holes passing through the length of the pellet, are domed shaped on the ends, comprise a plurality of grooves on the pellet surface, and have an aspect ratio of at least 0.5 up to about 2.
A process for converting natural gas to a C2-C10 product comprising ethylene, benzene, naphthalene, or a mixture thereof and hydrogen wherein the process comprises:
- flowing the natural gas through a plurality of tubes within a vessel wherein the tubes house a catalyst for converting the natural gas to the C2-C10 product comprising ethylene, benzene, naphthalene, or a mixture thereof and hydrogen;
- and
- heating the natural gas at a temperature of from about 700 to about 1000° C. and a pressure of from about 1 to about 3 atmospheres to produce the C2-C10 product comprising ethylene, benzene, naphthalene, or a mixture thereof and hydrogen;
- wherein the natural gas is heated by burning a fuel outside the tubes in fuel burning nozzles configured to transfer heat from the burning through the tubes;
- wherein the catalyst comprises cylindrical pellets;
- and
- wherein at least a portion of the pellets comprise one or more holes passing through the length of the pellet, are domed shaped on the ends, comprise a plurality of grooves on the pellet surface, and have an aspect ratio of at least 0.5 up to about 2.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.