Claims
- 1. A method for converting methane to higher hydrocarbon products which comprises contacting at a temperature within the range of about 500.degree.-1000.degree. C. a gas comprising methane and a solid comprising a reducible oxide of Ru.
- 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the gas comprising methane contains from about 40 to about 100 volume percent methane.
- 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the gas comprising methane contains from about 80 to about 100 volume percent methane.
- 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the gas comprising methane contains from about 90 to about 100 volume percent methane.
- 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the gas comprising methane is natural gas.
- 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the gas comprising methane is processed natural gas.
- 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the reducible oxide is ruthenium dioxide.
- 8. A method for synthesizing hydrocarbons from a methane source which comprises:
- (a) contacting at a temperature within the range of about 500.degree.-1000.degree. C. a gas comprising methane and a solid comprising a reducible oxide of Ru, said contacting producing C.sub.2 + hydrocarbons, coproduct water and solids comprising a reduced Ru oxide;
- (b) recovering C.sub.2 + hydrocarbons;
- (c) at least periodically contacting the solids comprising reduced Ru oxide with an oxygen-containing gas to produce a solid comprising a reducible Ru oxide; and
- (d) contacting a gas comprising methane with the solids produced in step (c) as recited in step (a).
- 9. The method of claim 8 wherein the temperature of step (c) is within the range of about 300.degree. to 1200.degree. C.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 06/600,669, filed 4/16/84, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,489,215.
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Number |
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Date |
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4205194 |
Mitchell et al. |
May 1980 |
|
4239658 |
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4443645 |
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Non-Patent Literature Citations (2)
Entry |
Keller, G. E., "Synthesis of Ethylene Via Oxidative Coupling of Methane", J. of Catalysis, 73, 9-19 (1982). |
Fang et al., "Catalytic Pyrolysis of Methane", J. Chinese Chemical Society (1981). |
Continuation in Parts (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
600669 |
Apr 1984 |
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