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US5205912A
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Conversion of methane using pulsed microwave radiation
Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Co
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Filing: 1992-03-27
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Granted: 1993-04-27
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Expires: 2012-03-27
Abstract
Abstract Methane can be effectively converted to acetylene, ethylene, and hydrogen by subjecting the methane to pulsed microwave radiation in the presence of at least one plasma initiator that is capable of initiating an electric discharge in an electromagnetic field.
Inventors
- 👤 William J. Murphy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 10:18
CPC Classifications
C; C07; C07C; C07C2/00; C07C2/76; C01; C01B; C01B3/00; C01B3/02; C01B3/22; C01B3/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for converting methane to acetylene, ethylene, and hydrogen which comprises (a) introducing methane into a reaction zone that contains at least one elongated plasma initiator capable of initiating an electric discharge in an electromagnetic field, and (b) subjecting the methane and plasma initiator to pulsed microwave radiation, thereby initiating an electric discharge, ionizing the methane in the reaction zone, and converting at least a portion of the methane to acetylene, ethylene, and hydrogen.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for converting methane to acetylene, ethylene, and hydrogen which comprises (a) introducing methane into a reaction zone that contains at least one elongated plasma initiator capable of initiating an electric discharge in an electromagnetic field, and (b) subjecting the methane and plasma initiator to pulsed microwave radiation, thereby initiating an electric discharge, ionizing the methane in the reaction zone, and converting at least a portion of the methane to acetylene, ethylene, and hydrogen.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the plasma initiator is a metal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the metal is tungsten, iron, nickel, copper, their alloys, or mixtures thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the metal is tungsten, iron, or mixtures thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the plasma initiator is a non-metal other than silica.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the non-metal is calcium aluminate, carbon, iron oxide, or mixtures thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the plasma initiator is a composite of a metal initiator and a non-metal initiator.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for converting methane, to acetylene, ethylene, and hydrogen which comprises (a) introducing methane into a reaction zone which contains a plurality of metal wires capable of initiating an electric discharge in an electromagnetic field, and (b) subjecting the methane and metal wires to pulsed microwave radiation having a frequency of at least 0.3 GHz, thereby initiating an electric discharge, ionizing the methane in the reaction zone, and converting at least a portion of the methane to acetylene, ethylene, and hydrogen, wherein the mole ratio of methane to hydrogen is greater than 1:1 during conversion.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for converting methane, to acetylene, ethylene, and hydrogen which comprises (a) introducing methane into a reaction zone which contains a plurality of metal wires capable of initiating an electric discharge in an electromagnetic field, and (b) subjecting the methane and metal wires to pulsed microwave radiation having a frequency of at least 0.3 GHz, thereby initiating an electric discharge, ionizing the methane in the reaction zone, and converting at least a portion of the methane to acetylene, ethylene, and hydrogen, wherein the mole ratio of methane to hydrogen is greater than 1:1 during conversion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the metal is tungsten, iron, nickel, copper, their alloys, or mixtures thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the metal is tungsten, iron, or mixtures thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the mole ratio of methane to hydrogen is at lest 1:2.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 8 wherein at least one aromatic compound is formed during the methane conversion.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for converting methane to primarily ethylene and hydrogen which comprises (a) introducing methane into a reaction zone that contains at least one elongated plasma initiator capable of initiating an electric discharge in an electromagnetic field, and (b) subjecting the methane and plasma initiator to pulsed microwave radiation, thereby initiating an electric discharge, ionizing the methane in the reaction zone, and converting at least a portion of the methane to primarily ethylene and hydrogen.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for converting methane to primarily ethylene and hydrogen which comprises (a) introducing methane into a reaction zone that contains at least one elongated plasma initiator capable of initiating an electric discharge in an electromagnetic field, and (b) subjecting the methane and plasma initiator to pulsed microwave radiation, thereby initiating an electric discharge, ionizing the methane in the reaction zone, and converting at least a portion of the methane to primarily ethylene and hydrogen.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the mole ratio of methane to hydrogen is at least 1:4 during conversion.
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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) | 1996-04-26 | 1996-10-26 | 1997-04-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-04-26 | 2000-10-26 | 2001-04-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-04-26 | 2004-10-26 | 2005-04-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |