New directions for the catalytic conversion of methane. Annual report, January-December 1990

Technical Report · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1991

OSTI ID:5382909

Lunsford, J H

The primary goal of research on the oxidative coupling of methane is to develop an active and stable catalyst that will convert methane to ethylene. Since ethane is the initial hydrocarbon product formed during the oxidative coupling reaction, it is essential that the in situ oxidative dehydrogenation (OXD) of ethane be achieved with a high degree of selectivity. By introducing chlorine into a Li(+)-MgO catalyst it has been possible to attain large ethylene-to-ethane ratios for periods in excess of 250 hr. This long life of the material, which is unique among chlorine-promoted catalysts for these reactions, is, in part, a result of the fact that the catalysts usually operate at the relatively mild temperature of 650 C. The large ethylene-to-ethane ratios achieved during the oxidative coupling reaction suggest that these catalysts should be effective for the OXD of ethane, and indeed they have been shown to be superior catalysts for this reaction.

• Research Organization: Texas A and M Univ., College Station, TX (United States). Dept. of Chemistry
• OSTI ID: 5382909
• Report Number(s): PB-91-206417/XAB; CNN: GRI-5086-260-1326
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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ALKALI METALS
ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS
ALKANES
ALKENES
CATALYSIS
CATALYSTS
CATALYTIC EFFECTS
CATALYTIC REFORMING
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHLORINE
DEHYDROGENATION
ELEMENTS
ETHANE
ETHYLENE
HALOGENS
HYDROCARBONS
LITHIUM
MAGNESIUM COMPOUNDS
MAGNESIUM OXIDES
METALS
METHANE
NONMETALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDATION
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
REFORMER PROCESSES
SERVICE LIFE
SYNTHESIS
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT