Production of liquid hydrocarbons from methane
AssigneeExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
InventorsLarry L. Iaccino, Elizabeth L. Stavens, Matthew J. Vincent
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In a process for converting methane to liquid hydrocarbons, a feed containing methane is contacted with 0 dehydrocyclization catalyst under conditions effective to convert said methane to aromatic hydrocarbons, including benzene and/or naphthalene, and produce a first effluent stream comprising hydrogen and 0t least 5 wt % m>35 aromatic hydrocarbons than said feed. At least part the aromatic hydrocarbons from the first effluent stream is then reacted with hydrogen to produce a second effluent stream having a reduced benzene and/or naphthalene content compared with said first effluent stream.
Claims38
A process for converting methane to higher hydrocarbons, the process comprising:
- (a) contacting a feed containing methane and at least one of H2, H2O, CO and CO2 with a dehydrocyclization catalyst under conditions effective to convert said methane to aromatic hydrocarbons, including benzene and naphthalene, and produce a first effluent stream comprising aromatic hydrocarbons and hydrogen, wherein said first effluent stream comprises at least 5 wt % more aromatic hydrocarbons than said feed;
- and
- (b) reacting at least part said aromatic hydrocarbons from said first effluent stream with hydrogen to produce a second effluent stream having a reduced benzene and/or naphthalene content compared with said first effluent stream, wherein said reacting hydrogenates and hydrocracks at least a portion of the naphthalene in said first effluent stream to produce alkylated single ring aromatic compounds.
A process for converting methane to higher hydrocarbons and hydrogen, the process comprising:
- (a) contacting a feed containing methane with a dehydrocyclization catalyst under non-oxidizing conditions effective to convert said methane to aromatic hydrocarbons, including benzene and/or naphthalene, and produce a first effluent stream comprising aromatic hydrocarbons and hydrogen, wherein said first effluent stream comprises at least 5 wt % more aromatic hydrocarbons than said feed;
- (b) reacting at least part of said aromatic hydrocarbons from said first effluent stream with at least part of the hydrogen from said first effluent stream, said reacting being conducted at a first location and producing a second effluent stream having a reduced benzene and/or naphthalene content compared with said first effluent stream;
- (c) transporting at least part of said second effluent stream to a second location remote from said first location;
- and
- (d) dehydrogenating at least part of said second effluent stream at said second location to produce hydrogen and a third effluent stream having an enhanced benzene and/or naphthalene content compared with said second effluent stream.
A process for converting methane to higher hydrocarbons and hydrogen, the process comprising:
- (a) contacting a feed containing methane with a dehydrocyclization catalyst under non-oxidizing conditions effective to convert said methane to aromatic hydrocarbons, including benzene and/or naphthalene, and produce a first effluent stream comprising aromatic hydrocarbons and hydrogen, wherein said first effluent stream comprises at least 5 wt % more aromatic hydrocarbons than said feed;
- (b) reacting at least part of said aromatic hydrocarbons from said first effluent stream with at least part of the hydrogen from said first effluent stream, said reacting being conducted at a first location and producing a second effluent stream having a reduced benzene and/or naphthalene content compared with said first effluent stream;
- (c) transporting at least part of said second effluent stream to a second location remote from said first location;
- (d) dehydrogenating at least part of said second effluent stream at said second location to produce hydrogen and a third effluent stream having an enhanced benzene and/or naphthalene content compared with said second effluent stream;
- and
- (e) reacting at least part of the hydrogen from said first effluent stream with an oxygen containing species to produce a further effluent stream comprising water and hydrocarbon;
- and recycling at least part of the hydrocarbon in said further effluent stream to said contacting (a).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.