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.
Claims13
A reactor for conversion of alkanes to liquid hydrocarbons and hydrogen wherein the reactor comprises:
- a vessel;
- and
- a plurality of tubes within the vessel wherein the tubes are configured to house a catalyst;
- wherein the vessel is configured to burn a fuel outside the plurality of tubes and wherein the vessel is further configured to transfer heat from the burning fuel to the catalyst housed within the plurality of tubes;
- wherein the reactor comprises fuel burning nozzles outside and along the length of the plurality of tubes, and
- wherein a majority of the plurality of tubes comprise a metal insert configured to facilitate heat transfer in a radial direction within the tubes wherein the metal insert comprises a screen, a plate, or a combination thereof.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.