Integrated process for synthesizing alcohols and ethers from alkanes
AssigneesGRT, Inc., The Regents of the University of California
InventorsXiao Ping Zhou, Ivan Marc Lorkovic, Galen D. Stucky, Peter C. Ford, Jeffrey H. Sherman, Philip Grosso
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Abstract
Alcohols and/or ethers are synthesized from alkanes by mixing an alkane and bromine in a reactor to form alkyl bromide and hydrogen bromide. The alkyl bromide is directed into contact with metal oxide to form alcohol and/or ether and a metal bromide. The metal bromide is oxidized to metal oxide and bromine, both of which are recycled.
Claims41
A method for synthesizing alcohols and/or ethers from alkanes comprising:
- providing a quantity of an alkane selected from the group including methane, ethane, propane, butane, and isobutane;
- providing a quantity of bromine;
- mixing the alkane and the bromine and thereby forming an alkyl bromide and hydrogen bromide;
- directing the hydrogen bromide into engagement with a metal oxide and thereby forming a metal bromide and water;
- converting the metal bromide from the hydrogen bromide metal oxide reaction to form the original metal oxide;
- separately directing the alkyl bromide into engagement with a metal oxide and thereby forming alcohol and/or ether and a metal bromide;
- converting the metal bromide from the alkyl bromide metal oxide reaction to form the original metal oxide and bromine;
- recycling the metal oxide;
- and
- recycling the bromine.
A method for converting methane to methanol comprising:
- providing a quantity of methane;
- providing a quantity of bromine;
- reacting the methane with the bromine and thereby forming methyl bromide and hydrogen bromide;
- directing the methyl bromide into engagement with a metal oxide and thereby forming methanol and a metal bromide;
- converting the metal bromide resulting from the methyl bromide metal oxide reaction to form the original metal oxide and bromine;
- separately directing the hydrogen bromide into engagement with a metal oxide to form water and a metal bromide;
- converting the metal bromide resulting from the hydrogen bromide metal oxide reaction to form the original metal oxide and bromine;
- recycling the metal oxides;
- and
- recycling the bromine.
A method for synthesizing ethers from alkanes comprising:
- providing a quantity of an alkane;
- providing a quantity of bromine;
- mixing the alkane and the bromine and thereby forming an alkyl bromide and hydrogen bromide;
- directing the alkyl bromide into engagement with a metal oxide and thereby forming an ether and a metal bromide;
- converting the metal bromide from the alkyl bromide metal oxide reaction to form metal oxide and bromine;
- separately directing the hydrogen bromide into engagement with a metal oxide to form water and a metal bromide;
- converting the metal bromide from the hydrogen bromide metal oxide reaction to form metal oxide and bromine;
- recycling the metal oxide;
- and
- recycling the bromine.
A method for converting methane to dimethyl ether comprising:
- providing a quantity of methane;
- providing a quantity of bromine;
- mixing the methane and the bromine and thereby forming methyl bromide and hydrogen bromide;
- trapping the hydrogen bromide by reacting it with a metal oxide;
- directing the methyl bromide into engagement with a metal oxide and thereby forming dimethyl ether and a metal bromide;
- converting the metal bromide resulting from the methyl bromide metal oxide reaction to form the original metal oxide and bromine;
- recycling the metal oxide;
- and
- recycling the bromine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.