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Title: Enhancement of methane conversion using electric fields. Quarterly report, April--June 1995

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/211513· OSTI ID:211513

The goal of this project is the development of novel, economical processes for the conversion of natural gas to more valuable products such as methanol, ethylene, and other organic oxygenates or higher hydrocarbons. The methodologies of the project are to investigate and develop low temperature electric discharges and electric field- enhanced catalysis for carrying out these conversions. In the case of low temperature discharges, the conversion is carried out at ambient temperature which in effect trades high temperature thermal energy for electric energy as the driving force for conversion. The low operating temperatures relax the thermodynamic constraints on the product distribution found at high temperatures and also remove the requirements of large thermal masses required for current technologies. With the electric field-enhanced conversion, the operating temperatures are expected to be below those currently required for such processes as oxidative coupling, thereby allowing for a higher degree of catalytic selectivity while maintaining high activity.

Research Organization:
Oklahoma Univ., Norman, OK (United States). Office of Research Administration
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
FG21-94MC31170
OSTI ID:
211513
Report Number(s):
DOE/MC/31170-5118; ON: DE96004346
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: Jul 1995
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English