Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, Vol.36, No.10, 4193-4197, 1997
Ethylene from Methane and Naphtha by an Integrated Process
An integrated one-stage process of ethylene production from methane and naphtha, consisting of exothermic oxidative coupling of CH4 over the catalyst fixed bed and endothermic pyrolysis of naphtha and of the formed C2H6 in the postcatalytic zone of the same reactor, was studied under varied operating parameters including CH4/naphtha ratio, temperatures of the catalytic and postcatalytic zones, and flow rates of the reagents. The rationale of an integrated one-stage concept has been confirmed. High yields of C2H4 and coproducts were obtained. An additivity of the yields of oxidative coupling and pyrolysis was observed under experimental conditions. The increase in C2H4 yield, as compared with pyrolysis of naphtha, was proportional to the contribution of the coupling component. The C2H4/C2H6 mole ratio was found to be as high as 4-5 for oxidative coupling with partial pyrolysis of C2H6 and about 10 for the integrated process. Both air and oxygen can be used as oxidants in the coupling step. Depending on relative contributions of the coupling and pyrolysis components to the integrated process, an overall balance of CH4 could be negative (consumption) or positive (production). In the latter case, the integrated process could be based only on a liquid feedstock, with a recycle of CH4.
Keywords:NATURAL-GAS