US4199533A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Conversion of methane
Assignee: University of Southern California
•
Filing: 1978-11-03
•
Granted: 1980-04-22
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Expires: 1998-11-03
Abstract
Abstract A method for chemically converting methane gas into higher molecular weight hydrocarbons by using chlorine gas as a recyclable, active catalyst.
Inventors
- 👤 Sidney W. Benson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 01:27
CPC Classifications
C; C07; C07C; C07C2/00; C07C2/76; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P20/00; Y02P20/50; Y02P20/584
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
66 words
A method for converting methane into at least one higher molecular weight hydrocarbon, which comprises reacting a mixture of chlorine and a gas comprising methane in a mole ratio of methane to chlorine to about 1:1 to 10:1 under conditions to provide a reaction temperature of at least 700° C. and to form as products hydrogen chloride and hydrocarbon selected from ethane, ethylene, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
66 words
A method for converting methane into at least one higher molecular weight hydrocarbon, which comprises reacting a mixture of chlorine and a gas comprising methane in a mole ratio of methane to chlorine to about 1:1 to 10:1 under conditions to provide a reaction temperature of at least 700° C. and to form as products hydrogen chloride and hydrocarbon selected from ethane, ethylene, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 in which said chlorine and methane are reacted by igniting said mixture.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 in which said temperature is in the range of 700° C.-1710° C.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 1 in which said reaction proceeds in accordance with the equation 2CH.sub.4 +(1+y)Cl.sub.2 →(2y+2)HCl+(1-x)C.sub.2 H.sub.6 +xC.sub.2 H.sub.4 +(x-y)H.sub.2 wherein x is from 0 to 1, y is from 0 to 1 and x is greater than y.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 in which the mole ratio of methane to chlorine is at least 2:1.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 5 in which said reaction proceeds in accordance with the equation: 2CH.sub.4 +Cl.sub.2 →2HCl+(1-x)C.sub.2 H.sub.6 +xC.sub.2 H.sub.4 +xH.sub.2 wherein x is from 0 to 1.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 1 in which the mole ratio of methane to chlorine is greater than 2:1 whereby to obtain methane in mixture with said products, and including the step of separating methane from said products and recycling said separated methane to constitute said mixture.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of reforming chlorine from said hydrogen chloride and recycling said reformed chlorine to constitute said mixture.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 1 conducted at about atmospheric pressure.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
72 words
A method for converting methane into at least one higher molecular weight hydrocarbon, which comprises igniting a mixture of chlorine and a gas comprising methane in a mole ratio of methane to chlorine of 1:1 to 10:1 under conditions to provide a reaction temperature in the range of 700°-1710° C. and to produce hydrogen chloride and other products selected from (a) ethylene, (b) hydrogen and ethylene, (c) ethane, and (d) mixtures thereof.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
72 words
A method for converting methane into at least one higher molecular weight hydrocarbon, which comprises igniting a mixture of chlorine and a gas comprising methane in a mole ratio of methane to chlorine of 1:1 to 10:1 under conditions to provide a reaction temperature in the range of 700°-1710° C. and to produce hydrogen chloride and other products selected from (a) ethylene, (b) hydrogen and ethylene, (c) ethane, and (d) mixtures thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 10 in which the mole ratio of methane to chlorine is at least 2:1.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 10 conducted at about atmospheric pressure.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-04-22 | 1983-10-22 | 1984-04-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-04-22 | 1987-10-22 | 1988-04-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-04-22 | 1991-10-22 | 1992-04-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |