Title: Efficient low-temperature, catalyst-free dehydrogenation of alkanes

Abstract

Steam cracking of ethane, a non-catalytic thermochemical process, remains the dominant means of ethylene production. The severe reaction conditions and energy expenditure involved in this process incentivize the search for alternative reaction pathways and reactor designs which maximize ethylene yield while minimizing cost and energy input. According to the present invention, ethylene yields as high as 68% were obtained with a quartz open tube reactor without the use of a catalyst or a cofed stream of oxidizing agents. The open tube reactor design promotes simplicity, low cost, and negligible coke formation. Reactor designs can be optimized to improve the conversion of ethane to ethylene via non-oxidative dehydrogenation, an approach which shows promise for decentralized production of ethylene from natural gas deposits.

Inventors:

Riley, Christopher Ryan; De La Riva, Andrew; Chou, Stanley Shihyao; Datye, Abhaya

Issue Date:

Tue Jul 25 00:00:00 EDT 2023

Research Org.:

Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States); Univ. of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)

OSTI Identifier:

2221994

Patent Number(s):

11708312

Application Number:

17/864,808

Assignee:

National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC (Albuquerque, NM); UNM Rainforest Innovations (Albuquerque, NM)

DOE Contract Number:  

NA0003525

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Patent File Date: 07/14/2022

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English