Experimental study of the reaction of methane with petroleum hydrocarbons in geological conditions
In order to assess the possible role of methane in petroleum formation, they studied the reaction of methane with liquid hydrocarbons representing the three main classes of compounds dominant in crude oil. The experimental reaction conditions simulated those of a geological setting for petroleum formations, at 1000 atm and 150-250/sup 0/C in the presence of montmorillonite, a natural clay catalyst. Since they expected very slow reaction rates and thus low yields, we used /sup 14/C labeled methane to trace the reaction products. They report here the detection of ethylbenzene and ethyltoluene formed by the interaction of methane with benzene and toluene, respectively. Instead of methylation of benzene, predominantly C/sub 2/ addition occurred, although very small amounts of products corresponding to C/sub 1/ addition were also detected. They propose that catalytic dissociation of methane occurred, forming ethylene which participated in a Friedel-Crafts type alkylation process of the aromatic ring on the catalyst surface. In addition to ring alkylation, side reactions such as polymerization of unsaturates (ethylene, acetylene) appeared to have occurred on the catalyst surface. The nature of these polymers is yet to be determined.
- Research Organization:
- Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY
- OSTI ID:
- 6887665
- Journal Information:
- Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta; (United States), Vol. 50:11
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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