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US 5,472,581 AGranted
Microwave production of C.sub.2 hydrocarbons, using a carbon catalyst
AssigneeQueen's University
InventorJeffrey K. S. Wan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
C.sub.1 and C.sub.2 hydrocarbons may be produced under the action of pulsed microwave energy in a reactor containing activated charcoal as a catalyst/reactant. Methane and/or water is the other active ingredient and the product is primarily acetylene.
Claims12
A process for converting methane to acetylene consisting of:
- providing a reaction zone containing a carbon bed in a form which absorbs microwave radiations;
- introducing methane into said reaction zone;
- irradiating said methane and said carbon bed with pulsed microwave radiations for a sufficient period of time to raise said bed to a surface temperature just sufficient to initiate a reaction to convert said methane to at least 80% acetylene and permit said bed to cool below said initiation temperature between microwave pulses;
- and
- recovering said acetylene.
2 more elements
A process for producing acetylene consisting of:
- providing a reaction zone containing a carbon bed in a form which absorbs microwave radiations;
- introducing water into said carbon bed;
- irradiating said bed with pulsed microwave radiations for a sufficient period of time to raise said bed to a surface temperature just sufficient to initiate a reaction between said water and said carbon to thereby produce at least 80% acetylene and permit said bed to cool below said initiation temperature between microwave pulses;
- and
- recovering said acetylene.
2 more elements
A process as claimed in claim 90 wherein said microwave radiation is supplied in pulses of 500 ms to 10 seconds with off times of about 20 to 60 seconds.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.