Patent ID: 6180066
Filing Date: 2001-01-30
Classification: B01F,B01J,C01B,C07C,Y02P

Abstract:
An apparatus for manufacturing methanol from methane comprising:an inner hollow sintered stainless steel container having an exterior;a layer of ultraviolet radiation sensitive catalytic material formed on the exterior of the sintered stainless steel container;an outer hollow container having the inner sintered stainless steel container positioned therein;means for maintaining methane within the interior of the inner sintered stainless steel container at a predetermined pressure sufficient to cause methane to flow through the sintered stainless steel container while preventing water flow therethrough;means for causing water to flow continuously through the annulus between the inner sintered stainless steel container and the outer container at a rate sufficient to strip sub-micron size bubbles of methane from the exterior of the sintered stainless steel container;means for directing ultraviolet energy onto the catalytic layer on the exterior of the inner sintered stainless steel container thereby forming hydroxyl radicals from the flowing water;the hydroxyl radicals homolyticaly cleaving at least some of the carbon-hydrogen bonds of the methane to form methyl radicals;the methyl radicals combining with the hydroxyl radicals to form methanol.