US3920716A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid phase methanol gasification
Assignee: Chem Systems Inc
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Filing: 1974-03-29
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Granted: 1975-11-18
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Expires: 1994-03-29
Abstract
Abstract Methanol is converted into methane by passing a stream of methanol through a suspension of a catalyst in an inert fluidizing medium, such as mineral oil. The methane, carbon dioxide, and water reaction products, essentially free of carbon monoxide are removed from the fluidized medium and processed to purify the methane. The inert fluidizing medium containing dissolved water formed in the reaction is recirculated with external cooling to dissipate the heat from the overall reaction.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter H Spitz
- 👤 Marshall E Frank
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 04:35
CPC Classifications
C; C07; C07C; C07C1/00; C07C1/20; C07C2523/00; C07C2523/70; C07C2523/74; C07C2523/755
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A PROCESS FOR THE CONVERSION OF METHANOL TO METHANE WHICH COMPRISES: PASSING METHANOL INTO A REACTION ZONE CONTAINING A SUSPENSION OF A METHANATION CATALYST IN AN INSERT FLUIDIZING MEDIUM; UPWARDLY FLOWING SAID FLUIDIZING MEDIUM IN SAID REACTION ZONE SO AS TO EPAND THE VOLUME OF CATALYST BY AT LEAST 5% AT A TEMPERATURE OF FROM 225* TO 500*C., SAID FLUIDIZING MEDIUM BEING IN THE LIQUID PHASE AND CAPABLE OF DISSOLVING FROM 0.1 TO 10 WT.% OF WATER UNDER THE REACTION CONDITIONS; CONVERTING SUBSTANTIALLY ALL OF THE METHANOL FEED TO THE REACTION ZONE; REMOVING FROM SAID REACTION ZONE A GASEOUS PRODUCT CONTAINING METHANE AND HAVING LESS THAN 1.7 MOLE % 8ON A DRY BASIS) OF CARBON MONOXIDE.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
A PROCESS FOR THE CONVERSION OF METHANOL TO METHANE WHICH COMPRISES: PASSING METHANOL INTO A REACTION ZONE CONTAINING A SUSPENSION OF A METHANATION CATALYST IN AN INSERT FLUIDIZING MEDIUM; UPWARDLY FLOWING SAID FLUIDIZING MEDIUM IN SAID REACTION ZONE SO AS TO EPAND THE VOLUME OF CATALYST BY AT LEAST 5% AT A TEMPERATURE OF FROM 225* TO 500*C., SAID FLUIDIZING MEDIUM BEING IN THE LIQUID PHASE AND CAPABLE OF DISSOLVING FROM 0.1 TO 10 WT.% OF WATER UNDER THE REACTION CONDITIONS; CONVERTING SUBSTANTIALLY ALL OF THE METHANOL FEED TO THE REACTION ZONE; REMOVING FROM SAID REACTION ZONE A GASEOUS PRODUCT CONTAINING METHANE AND HAVING LESS THAN 1.7 MOLE % 8ON A DRY BASIS) OF CARBON MONOXIDE.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the space velocity in said reaction zone is from 500 to 10,000 normal cubic meters of methanol vapor per hour per cubic meter of catalyst.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said catalyst is a nickel or a nickel-promoted catalyst.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
79 words
The process of claim 1 wherein a portion of the upwardly flowing fluidizing medium is withdrawn from the top of the reaction zone at a relatively elevated temperature, cooled and recycled to the bottom of the reaction zone, and wherein the recycled fluidizing medium contains dissolved therein water formed in the reaction, such water being present in an amount sufficient to provide a water-to-methanol ratio in the feed to the reactor of from about 0.05:1 to 1:1 by weight.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the fluidizing medium is a C9 to C12 aromatic hydrocarbon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the fluidizing medium is a desulfurized gas oil which is in the liquid phase under the reaction conditions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
CA640809A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-11-17 | 1979-05-19 | 1979-11-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-17 | 1983-05-19 | 1983-11-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-17 | 1987-05-19 | 1987-11-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |