Efficient low-temperature, catalyst-free dehydrogenation of alkanes
Steam cracking of ethane, a non-catalytic thermochemical process, remains the dominant means of ethylene production. The severe reaction conditions and energy expenditure involved in this process incentivize the search for alternative reaction pathways and reactor designs which maximize ethylene yield while minimizing cost and energy input. According to the present invention, ethylene yields as high as 68% were obtained with a quartz open tube reactor without the use of a catalyst or a cofed stream of oxidizing agents. The open tube reactor design promotes simplicity, low cost, and negligible coke formation. Reactor designs can be optimized to improve the conversion of ethane to ethylene via non-oxidative dehydrogenation, an approach which shows promise for decentralized production of ethylene from natural gas deposits.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States); Univ. of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- NA0003525
- Assignee:
- National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC (Albuquerque, NM); UNM Rainforest Innovations (Albuquerque, NM)
- Patent Number(s):
- 11,708,312
- Application Number:
- 17/864,808
- OSTI ID:
- 2221994
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: 07/14/2022
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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