Process for upgrading natural gas
AssigneeMobil Oil Corporation
InventorsStuart D. Hellring, Scott A. Stevenson
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Abstract
The invention discloses a method for converting methane to higher order hydrocarbons. This method includes synthesizing ammonia from natural gas and nitrogen in the presence of a source of hydrogen. The ammonia is converted to nitrous oxide in the presence of a source of oxygen. Methane is coupled in the presence of the nitrous oxide to provide higher hydrocarbons. The invention also discloses a method of balancing reaction heat requirements in a process for converting methane to higher order hydrocarbons.
Claims7
A method for converting methane to higher order hydrocarbons, which comprises the following steps:
- (a)synthesizing ammonia from natural gas and nitrogen in the presence of a source of hydrogen;
- (b)contacting ammonia with a catalyst which comprises platinum, in the presence of a source of oxygen, in order to convert it to nitric oxide and water;
- (c)reacting ammonia and nitric acid in the presence of oxygen to produce nitrous oxide, whereby the reactants are contacted with a catalyst comprising molybdenum;
- and
- (d)coupling methane in the presence of nitrous oxide in order to produce higher order hydrocarbons.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.