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US 5,328,577 AGranted
Upgrading of low value hydrocarbons using a hydrogen donor and microwave radiation
AssigneeExxon Research & Engineering Co.
InventorWilliam J. Murphy
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Low value hydrocarbons can be upgraded by contact with the products formed during irradiation of a hydrogen donor and water using microwave energy in the presence of at least one plasma initiator.
Claims10
A method for upgrading a low value hydrocarbon which comprises:
- (a) introducing into a reaction zone containing at least one plasma initiator capable of initiating an electric discharge in an electromagnetic field a feed stream, wherein said feed stream contains
- (1) a hydrogen donor with the proviso that if the hydrogen donor is not molecular hydrogen, then molecular hydrogen is added in an amount sufficient to maintain activity of the plasma initiator,
- (2) from about 0.02 to about 20 wt% water, based on the feed stream, and
- (3) low value hydrocarbon;
- (b) subjecting the reaction zone to microwave radiation having a frequency of at least 0.3 GHz thereby initiating an electric discharge;
- and
- (c) cracking the hydrogen donor in the presence of the electric discharge thereby upgrading at least a portion of the low value hydrocarbon.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.