Conversion of ethane and of propane to higher olefin hydrocarbons

Technical Report · Sat Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1991

OSTI ID:5425842

Heinemann, H; Somorjai, G A

It is the purpose of this work to extend recent findings of oxidative methane coupling to the coupling of paraffinic hydrocarbons such as ethane and propane to produce C{sub 4} respectively C{sub 6} and higher hydrocarbons. Variables which have been shown to influence the olefin/paraffin ratio of the product will be investigated to optimize olefinic products. A study of the reaction mechanisms is to be undertaken on the basis of which improved catalysts will be synthesized. Results from work this quarter are as follows: (1) Ethane was charged together with oxygen and steam to a Ca-Ni-K oxide catalyst at three temperatures (300, 450, and 600{degrees}C) and atmospheric pressure. (2) At 300{degrees}C conversion was very low (<1%). Only hydrocarbons were found in the product. The major hydrocarbon was methane, the yield of which decreased with time on stream with a corresponding increase in propylene and ethylene. (3)At 450{degrees}C conversion reached 60--70%, selectivity to hydrocarbons was 50% or less (mostly CH{sub 4}) with the remainder being carbon oxides. (4) At 600{degrees}C there was almost complete conversion of ethane to methane and carbon oxides with only very small amounts of ethylene. There appeared to be substantial coke deposition on the catalyst. (5) It is apparent from these results that temperatures of 600{degrees}C are too high and other process variables have to be explored. (6) A single run with propane feed at 600{degrees}C showed continuous catalyst deactivation and gave methane and CO{sub x} as major products with propylene being the largest constituent of C{sub 2}-C{sub 6} hydrocarbons. 6 figs., 1 tab.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-76SF00098
• OSTI ID: 5425842
• Report Number(s): LBL-30784; ON: DE91016896
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

10 SYNTHETIC FUELS
100200* -- Synthetic Fuels-- Production-- (1990-)
ALKALI METALS
ALKANES
ALKENES
CATALYSTS
CHEMICAL REACTION YIELD
CONVERSION
DOCUMENT TYPES
ELEMENTS
ETHANE
HYDROCARBONS
METALS
METHANE
NICKEL
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POTASSIUM
PROGRESS REPORT
PROPANE
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
YIELDS