Method for the photocatalytic conversion of gas hydrates

Patent · Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2001

OSTI ID:873892

Taylor, Charles E ^[1]; Noceti, Richard P ^[1]; Bockrath, Bradley C ^[2]

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1. Pittsburg, PA
2. Bethel Park, PA

A method for converting methane hydrates to methanol, as well as hydrogen, through exposure to light. The process includes conversion of methane hydrates by light where a radical initiator has been added, and may be modified to include the conversion of methane hydrates with light where a photocatalyst doped by a suitable metal and an electron transfer agent to produce methanol and hydrogen. The present invention operates at temperatures below 0.degree. C., and allows for the direct conversion of methane contained within the hydrate in situ.

• Research Organization: National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), Pittsburgh, PA, Morgantown, WV (United States)
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States Department (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 6267849
• OSTI ID: 873892
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

method
photocatalytic
conversion
gas
hydrates
converting
methane
methanol
hydrogen
exposure
light
process
radical
initiator
added
modified
photocatalyst
doped
suitable
metal
electron
transfer
agent
produce
operates
temperatures
below
degree
allows
direct
contained
hydrate
situ
produce methanol
temperatures below
electron transfer
gas hydrate
radical initiator
photocatalytic conversion
methane hydrates
transfer agent
direct conversion
converting methane
catalytic conversion
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