US4620057A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methane conversion
Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Co
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Filing: 1985-06-07
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Granted: 1986-10-28
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Expires: 2005-06-07
Abstract
Abstract A method for the oxidative conversion of a feed material comprising methane, such as natural gas, to higher hydrocarbons, particularly ethylene and ethane and desirably ethylene, in which feed is contacted with a solid contact material comprising cobalt; at least one metal selected from the group consisting of zirconium, zinc, niobium, indium, lead and bismuth, preferably, zirconium; phosphorous; at least one Group IA metal; and oxygen under oxidative conversion conditions sufficient to convert the methane to the higher hydrocarbons. Substantial improvement in the conversion of methane and selectivity to ethylene and ethane is obtained by adding chlorine to the contact material. The further addition of sulfur to the contact material also improves the conversion and selectivity and permits the method to be carried out in an essentially continuous manner in the presence of a free oxygen containing gas.
Inventors
- 👤 James B. Kimble
- 👤 John H. Kolts
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 21:19
CPC Classifications
C; C07; C07C; C07C2/00; C07C2/76; C07C2/82; C07C2/84; B; B01; B01J; B01J27/00; B01J27/14; B01J27/185; B01J27/1853; B01J27/186; B01J27/195; C07C2521/00; C07C2521/06; C07C2523/00; C07C2523/02; C07C2523/04; C07C2523/06; C07C2523/08; C07C2523/14; C07C2523/16; C07C2523/18; C07C2523/20; C07C2523/70; C07C2523/74; C07C2523/75; C07C2527/00; C07C2527/14; C07C2527/185; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P20/00; Y02P20/50; Y02P20/52; Y10; Y10S; Y10S585/00; Y10S585/929; Y10S585/943
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
64 words
A method for the oxidative conversion of methane to higher hydrocarbons, comprising: contacting a feed material comprising methane with a solid contact material, comprising: cobalt; at least one metal selected from the group consisting of zirconium, zinc, niobium, indium, lead and bismuth; phosphorous; at least one Group IA metal; and oxygen, under oxidative conversion conditions sufficient to convert said methane to said higher hydrocarbons.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
64 words
A method for the oxidative conversion of methane to higher hydrocarbons, comprising: contacting a feed material comprising methane with a solid contact material, comprising: cobalt; at least one metal selected from the group consisting of zirconium, zinc, niobium, indium, lead and bismuth; phosphorous; at least one Group IA metal; and oxygen, under oxidative conversion conditions sufficient to convert said methane to said higher hydrocarbons.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the feed material is natural gas.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the metal selected from the group consisting of zirconium, zinc, niobium, indium, lead and bismuth is zirconium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the Group IA metal is sodium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the contact material is prepared by: combining compounds of the elements; and calcining the thus combined compounds in an oxygen free atmosphere.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
69 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the contact material is prepared by: combining compounds of the elements; calcining the thus combined compounds in the presence of a free oxygen-containing gas; placing the thus calcined contact material in a reaction zone; pretreating the contact material by passing a reducing gas through the contact material in said reaction zone and, thereafter; passing the feed material through the contact material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method in accordance with claim 6 wherein the reducing gas is methane.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the temperature of contacting is at least about 500° C.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the temperature of contacting is between about 500° C. and 1500° C.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the contact material further comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of a halogen and sulfur.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method in accordance with claim 10 wherein the contact material further comprises chlorine.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the contact material additionally contains potassium.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method in accordance with claim 10 wherein the contact material further comprises sulfur.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method in accordance with claim 10 wherein the contact material further comprises both chlorine and sulfur.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method in accordance with claim 10 wherein the contact material further comprises both a halogen and sulfur.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method in accordance with claim 10 wherein the contact material further comprises a halogen.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method in accordance with claim 13 wherein the feed material is contacted with the contact material in the presence of a free oxygen containing gas.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method in accordance with claim 17 wherein the method is carried out in an essentially continuous manner.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method in accordance in the claim 17 wherein the volumetric ratio of methane to free oxygen is at least about 1/1.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method in accordance with claim 17 wherein the volumetric ratio of methane to free oxygen is between about 1/1 and about 30/1.
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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) | 1989-10-27 | 1990-04-28 | 1990-10-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-10-27 | 1994-04-28 | 1994-10-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-10-27 | 1998-04-28 | 1998-10-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |