US4634800A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Methane conversion process
Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Co
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Filing: 1985-05-24
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Granted: 1987-01-06
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Expires: 2005-05-24
Abstract
Abstract An improved method for converting methane to higher hydrocarbon products by contacting a hydrocarbon gas comprising methane, an oxygen-containing gas and a reducible metal oxide under conditions effective to produce higher hydrocarbon products and water, the improvement which comprises conducting the contacting in the presence of at least one promoter selected from the group consisting of halogens and compounds thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 Howard P. Withers, Jr.
- 👤 C. Andrew Jones
- 👤 John J. Leonard
- 👤 John A. Sofranko
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 08:57
CPC Classifications
C; C07; C07C; C07C2/00; C07C2/76; C07C2/82; C07C2/84; C07C2521/00; C07C2521/14; C07C2523/00; C07C2523/02; C07C2523/04; C07C2523/08; C07C2523/10; C07C2523/14; C07C2523/16; C07C2523/18; C07C2523/32; C07C2523/34; C07C2527/00; C07C2527/14; C07C2527/16; C07C2527/18; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S585/00; Y10S585/929; Y10S585/943
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
In an improved method for converting methane to higher hydrocarbon products and coproduct water wherein a gas comprising methane and a gaseous oxidant are contacted with a solid comprising at least one reducible oxide of at least one metal which oxide when contacted with methane at a temperature within the range of about 500 to 1000° C. is reduced and produces higher hydrocarbon products and water, the improvement which comprises conducting the contacting in the presence of at least one promoter selected from the group consisting of halogens and compounds thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
In an improved method for converting methane to higher hydrocarbon products and coproduct water wherein a gas comprising methane and a gaseous oxidant are contacted with a solid comprising at least one reducible oxide of at least one metal which oxide when contacted with methane at a temperature within the range of about 500 to 1000° C. is reduced and produces higher hydrocarbon products and water, the improvement which comprises conducting the contacting in the presence of at least one promoter selected from the group consisting of halogens and compounds thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the gaseous oxidant comprises molecular oxygen.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the gaseous oxidant comprises oxides of nitrogen.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the oxides of nitrogen comprise N 2 O.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein methane and the gaseous oxidant are contacted with said solid at a temperature within the range of about 300 to 1200° C.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein methane and the gaseous oxidant are contacted with said solid at a temperature within the range of about 500° to 1000° C.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said solid comprises a reducible oxide of Mn.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the gaseous oxidant is an oxygen-containing gas.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 8 wherein methane and the oxygen-containing gas are contacted with said solid at a temperature within the range of about 800° to 900° C.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein a halogen source is at least periodically introduced with methane and the gaseous oxidant to contact the solid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the promoter is selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I and compounds thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the promoter is chlorine or compounds thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the promoter is bromine or compounds thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said solid further comprises at least one member of the group consisting of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals and compounds thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said solid further comprises at least one member of the group consisting of alkali metals and compounds thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said solid further comprises at least one member, of the group consisting of sodium and compounds thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said solid further comprises at least one member of the group consisting of lithium and compounds thereof.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said solid further comprises at least one member of the group consisting of alkaline earth metals and compounds thereof.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said solid further comprises at least one member of the group consisting of magnesium and compounds thereof.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said solid further comprises at least one member of the group consisting of calcium and compounds thereof.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said solid further comprises at least one reducible oxide of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Mn, Sn, In, Ge, Pb, Sb and Bi.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the solid comprises at least one reducible oxide of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Pr, Tb and Ce.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the solid comprises at least one reducible oxide of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Fe and Ru.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-01-05 | 1990-07-07 | 1991-01-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-01-05 | 1994-07-07 | 1995-01-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-01-05 | 1998-07-07 | 1999-01-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |