Method for converting natural gas to liquid hydrocarbons

A method for converting natural gas to a hydrocarbon liquid and water, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a stream of natural gas;
• b) conveying the natural gas to a reactor having means for heating the natural gas using electrical power, wherein the natural gas is heated to form hydrogen and reactive products comprising an acetylene portion;
• c) quenching the reactive products and hydrogen;
• d) conveying the reactive products and hydrogen to a hydrogenation reactor;
• e) reacting the acetylene portion of the reactive products with hydrogen to form ethylene;
• f) conveying the reactive products to a catalytic liquefaction reactor and providing natural gas and a catalyst in the liquefaction reactor such that the reactive products and natural gas react to produce hydrogen and the hydrocarbon liquid;
• g) conveying hydrogen to a means for generating electrical power and producing water;
• h) conveying the electrical power from the means for generating electrical power to the reactor having means for heating using electrical power;
• i) conveying the hydrocarbon liquid and the water to storage or transport.

A method for converting natural gas to a hydrocarbon liquid and water, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a stream of natural gas;
• b) conveying the natural gas through a furnace wherein hydrogen is burned and wherein the natural gas is heated to form hydrogen and reactive products, comprising an acetylene portion;
• c) quenching the reactive products and hydrogen;
• d) conveying the reactive products and hydrogen to a hydrogenation reactor;
• e) reacting the acetylene portion of the reactive products with hydrogen to form ethylene;
• f) conveying the reactive products and hydrogen to a catalytic liquefaction reactor and providing natural gas and a catalyst in the reactor such that the reactive products and natural gas react to produce hydrogen and the hydrocarbon liquid;
• g) conveying hydrogen from the catalytic liquefaction reactor to the hydrogen furnace for burning so as to heat the natural gas and produce water;
• and
• h) conveying the hydrocarbon liquid and the water to storage or transport.

A method for converting natural gas to naphtha or gasoline and water, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a stream of natural gas;
• b) conveying the natural gas to reactor having means for heating the natural gas using electrical power, wherein the natural gas is heated to form hydrogen and reactive products comprising an acetylene portion;
• c) quenching the reactive products and hydrogen;
• d) conveying the reactive products and hydrogen to a hydrogenation reactor;
• e) reacting the acetylene portion of the reactive products with hydrogen to form ethylene;
• f) conveying the reactive product stream to a catalytic liquefaction reactor and providing natural gas and a catalyst in the liquefaction reactor such that the reactive products and natural gas react to produce hydrogen and naphtha or gasoline;
• g) conveying the hydrogen to a means for generating electrical power and producing water;
• h) conveying the electrical power to the reactor having means for heating using electrical power;
• and
• i) conveying the naphtha or gasoline and the water to storage or transport.

A method for converting natural gas to naphtha or gasoline and water, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a stream of natural gas;
• b) conveying the natural gas through a furnace wherein hydrogen is burned and wherein the natural gas is heated to form hydrogen and reactive products, comprising an acetylene portion;
• c) quenching the reactive products and hydrogen;
• d) conveying the reactive products and hydrogen to a hydrogenation reactor;
• e) reacting the acetylene portion of the reactive products with hydrogen to form ethylene;
• f) conveying the reactive products and hydrogen to a catalytic liquefaction reactor and providing natural gas and a catalyst in the reactor such that the reactive products and natural gas react to produce hydrogen and naphtha or gasoline;
• g) conveying hydrogen from the catalytic liquefaction reactor to the hydrogen furnace for burning so as to heat the natural gas and produce water;
• and
• h) conveying the naphtha or gasoline and the water to storage or transport.