Patent ID: 8455555
Filing Date: 2013-06-04
Classification: C10G,F25J

Abstract:
1. A process for producing higher molecular weight hydrocarbon compounds or oxygenates from a gas comprising methane, said process comprising: generating synthesis gas (syngas) comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen by reaction of a gas comprising methane with steam and/or an oxidant gas comprising oxygen; producing higher molecular weight hydrocarbon compounds or oxygenates in a syngas conversion process; removing offgas comprising unreacted hydrogen and unreacted carbon monoxide from said syngas conversion process; separating unreacted hydrogen from said offgas or from a gas derived therefrom to produce separated hydrogen product, wherein unreacted hydrogen is separated in a cryogenic separation process to produce separated hydrogen product that is substantially free of unreacted carbon monoxide and a first cryogenic liquid comprising unreacted carbon monoxide and argon; combining the separated hydrogen product with the syngas prior to the syngas conversion process; separating unreacted carbon monoxide from said first cryogenic liquid or from a cryogenic liquid derived therefrom in a cryogenic distillation column to produce separated carbon monoxide product and substantially carbon monoxide-free cryogenic liquid; and removing at least one argon-enriched stream from a region above a bottom of the cryogenic distillation column.