US4443649A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methane conversion
Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Co
•
Filing: 1983-08-12
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Granted: 1984-04-17
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Expires: 2003-08-12
Abstract
Abstract A method for synthesizing hydrocarbons from a methane source which comprises contacting methane with an oxide of manganese at a temperature of about 500 DEG to 1000 DEG C. The oxide is reduced by the contact and coproduct water is formed. A reducible oxide of manganese is regenerated by oxidizing the reduced composition with molecular oxygen. The oxide Mn3O4 is a particularly effective synthesizing agent.
Inventors
- 👤 C. Andrew Jones
- 👤 John J. Leonard
- 👤 John A. Sofranko
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 12:11
CPC Classifications
C; C07; C07C; C07C2/00; C07C2/76; C07C2/82; C07C2/84; C07C2521/00; C07C2521/06; C07C2521/08; C07C2523/00; C07C2523/16; C07C2523/32; C07C2523/34; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S585/00; Y10S585/929; Y10S585/943
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
57 words
A method for converting methane to higher hydrocarbon products which comprises contacting a gas comprising methane and a reducible oxide of manganese at a temperature within the range of about 500° to 1000° C., said contacting being carried out in the substantial absence of catalytically effective Ni, Rh, Pd, Ag, Os, Ir, Pt, Au and compounds thereof.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
57 words
A method for converting methane to higher hydrocarbon products which comprises contacting a gas comprising methane and a reducible oxide of manganese at a temperature within the range of about 500° to 1000° C., said contacting being carried out in the substantial absence of catalytically effective Ni, Rh, Pd, Ag, Os, Ir, Pt, Au and compounds thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the reducible oxide of manganese is contacted with a gas comprising methane at a temperature within the range of about 600° to 900° C.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the gas contains about 40 to 100 vol. % methane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the gas contains about 80 to 100 vol. % methane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the gas contains about 90 to 100 vol. % methane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the gas comprising methane is natural gas.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the gas comprising methane is processed natural gas.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein a gas consisting essentially of methane is contacted with the said reducible oxide.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the reducible oxide of manganese comprises Mn 3 O 4 .
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the oxide of manganese is associated with a support material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the oxide of manganese is associated with a support material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the support material is silica.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the support material is silica.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
129 words
A method for synthesizing hydrocarbons from a methane source which comprises: (a) contacting a gas comprising methane with a solid comprising a reducible oxide of manganese at a temperature within the range of about 500° to 1000° C. to form C 2 + hydrocarbons, coproduct water, and solids comprising a reduced oxide of manganese, said contacting being carried out in the substantial absence of catalytically effective Ni, Rh, Pd, Ag, Os, Ir, Pt, Au and compounds thereof; (b) recovering C 2 + hydrocarbons; (c) at least periodically contacting the solids comprising the reduced oxide of manganese with oxygen containing gas to produce a solid comprising a reducible oxide of manganese; and (d) contacting a gas comprising methane with the solids produced in step (c) as recited in step (a).
Claim 16
Independent Claim
129 words
A method for synthesizing hydrocarbons from a methane source which comprises: (a) contacting a gas comprising methane with a solid comprising a reducible oxide of manganese at a temperature within the range of about 500° to 1000° C. to form C 2 + hydrocarbons, coproduct water, and solids comprising a reduced oxide of manganese, said contacting being carried out in the substantial absence of catalytically effective Ni, Rh, Pd, Ag, Os, Ir, Pt, Au and compounds thereof; (b) recovering C 2 + hydrocarbons; (c) at least periodically contacting the solids comprising the reduced oxide of manganese with oxygen containing gas to produce a solid comprising a reducible oxide of manganese; and (d) contacting a gas comprising methane with the solids produced in step (c) as recited in step (a).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the temperature of step (c) is within the range of about 300° to 1200° C.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the temperature of step (c) is within the range of about 700° to 1200° C.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the temperature of step (c) is within the range from about 900° to 1200° C.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the reducible oxide of manganese comprises Mn 3 O 4 .
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the said solid of step (a) comprises Mn 3 O 4 on a silica support.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 14 wherein solids of step (a) are maintained in the methane-contacting zone as a fluidized bed.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 20 wherein solids of step (c) are maintained in the oxygen-contacting zone as a fluidized bed.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the temperature of step (a) is within the range of about 600° to 900° C.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 22 wherein the temperature of step (c) is within the range of about 700° to 1200° C.
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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) | 1987-04-17 | 1987-10-17 | 1988-04-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-04-17 | 1991-10-17 | 1992-04-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-04-17 | 1995-10-17 | 1996-04-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |