Microwave production of C.sub.2 hydrocarbons, using a carbon catalyst

• US 5,472,581 A
• Filed: 11/08/1994
• Issued: 12/05/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microwave Chemistry Corporation
• Original Assignee: Queen's University
• Inventors: Wan, Jeffrey K. S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Niebling, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): DELACROIX MUIRHEI, CYBILLE
• Application Number:
  US08/339,219
• Time in Patent Office: 392 Days
• Field of Search: 204/157.43, 204/157.47, 204/157.6, 204/168, 204/170, 204/171, 585/648
• US Class Current: 204/157.6
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/126 Microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: C07C 11/24 Acetylene production of acetylene gas by wet methods C10H
• CPC Class Codes: C07C 2/76 by condensation of hydrocarbons with partial elimination of hydrogen

Abstract

C₁ and C₂ hydrocarbons may be produced under the action of pulsed microwave energy in a reactor containing activated charcoal as a catalyst/reactant. Methane and/or water is the other active ingredient and the product is primarily acetylene.

Claims

1. A process for converting methane to acetylene consisting of:

providing a reaction zone containing a carbon bed in a form which absorbs microwave radiations;

introducing methane into said reaction zone;

irradiating said methane and said carbon bed with pulsed microwave radiations for a sufficient period of time to raise said bed to a surface temperature just sufficient to initiate a reaction to convert said methane to at least 80% acetylene and permit said bed to cool below said initiation temperature between microwave pulses; and

recovering said acetylene.

2. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein said carbon bed comprises activated carbon pellets.

3. A process as claimed in claim 2 wherein said microwave radiation wavelength is in the range of about 1.5-3.0 GHz.

4. A process as claimed in claim 3 wherein said microwave radiation is supplied in pulses of 500 ms to 10 seconds with off times of about 20 to 60 seconds.

5. A process as claimed in claim 4 wherein said microwave radiation has an incident power in the range 1.5-2.8 kW.

6. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein said methane is provided at a pressure in the range 0.2 to 1.5 atmospheres.

7. A process for producing acetylene consisting of:

providing a reaction zone containing a carbon bed in a form which absorbs microwave radiations;

introducing water into said carbon bed;

irradiating said bed with pulsed microwave radiations for a sufficient period of time to raise said bed to a surface temperature just sufficient to initiate a reaction between said water and said carbon to thereby produce at least 80% acetylene and permit said bed to cool below said initiation temperature between microwave pulses; and

recovering said acetylene.

8. A process as claimed in claim 7 wherein said carbon bed comprises activated carbon pellets.

9. A process as claimed in claim 8 wherein said microwave wavelength is in the range of about 1.5-3.0 GHz.

10. A process as claimed in claim 90 wherein said microwave radiation is supplied in pulses of 500 ms to 10 seconds with off times of about 20 to 60 seconds.

11. A process as claimed in claim 10 wherein said microwave radiation has an incident power in the range 1.6-2.8 kW.

12. A process as claimed in claim 11 wherein said power is in the range 1.87 to 2.8 kW.