Union Carbide pursuing direct conversion of methane to ethylene

Journal Article · Mon Jul 04 04:00:00 EDT 1988 · Chem. Eng. News; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/cen-v066n027.p022· OSTI ID:6962875

Haggin, J

Union Carbide has begun developing an alternative source for ethylene. If a new program is successful, Carbide will be able to supplement present sources of ethylene by direct catalytic conversion of methane. The program also will provide an alternative means for possible future production of distillate motor fuels. Most ethylene consumed today is derived from dehydrogenation of ethane or propane. These sources are becoming increasingly tight, and alternatives are being sought by most polyethylene producers. Alternative sources have been on Carbide's research agenda at least since 1969, when the possibilities of converting methane were first examined. Following the Arab oil embargo of 1974 and the subsequent crude oil and natural gas price rises, most attention turned to coal conversion, at least in the U.S. However, inherent difficulties diminished the immediate prospects for utilizing coal as a source of fuels and petrochemical feedstocks.

• OSTI ID: 6962875
• Journal Information: Chem. Eng. News; (United States), Journal Name: Chem. Eng. News; (United States) Vol. 66:27; ISSN CENEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020500 -- Petroleum-- Products & By-Products
03 NATURAL GAS
030400 -- Natural Gas-- Products & By-Products
090121* -- Hydrocarbon Fuels-- Chemical Synthesis-- (1976-1989)
10 SYNTHETIC FUELS
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
294002 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Petroleum
294003 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Natural Gas
ALKANES
ALKENES
CARBIDES
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CATALYTIC CONVERTERS
CHEMICAL PLANTS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COAL
DEHYDROGENATION
DISTILLATES
ECONOMIC IMPACT
ENERGY SOURCES
EQUIPMENT
ETHYLENE
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
HYDROCARBONS
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
MATERIALS
METHANE
NATURAL GAS
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PETROCHEMICAL PLANTS
PETROLEUM
POLLUTION CONTROL EQUIPMENT
PRICES
PROPANE
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
USA