OXIDATION OF METHANE OVER HETEROGENEOUS CATALYSTS

Abstract: Higher hydrocarbons are produced from methane by reacting the methane at elevated temperature, suitably in the range from 600 to 800°C, with an oxygen-containing gas having a ratio of methane to oxygen of greater than the stoichiometric ratio for complete combustion in the presence as catalyst of a lithium-doped material which under the reaction conditions is a physically base-stable, non-melting, oxygen-stable compound of an element of Groups III to VIII of the Periodic Table of the Elements including the rare earth elements.

Description: The present invention relates in general to a process for the conversion of methane to higher hydrocarbons and in particular to a process for partially oxidising methane to C₂ and higher hydrocarbons over heterogeneous oxidation catalysts. The conversion of methane to higher hydrocarbon products over reducible oxide catalysts has been extensively studied in the recent past. Representative of the art describing such a process may be mentioned for example US Patents Nos. 4,443,644; 4,443,645; 4,443,646; 4,443,647; 4,443,649; 4,495,374; 4,499,322; 4,443,648; 4,444,984; 4,547,611; 4,523,049; 4,544,785; 4,499,323; 4,544,784; 4,523,050; 4,547,607; 4,499,324; 4,547,608; 4,544,786; 4,517,398 and 4,547,610. USP-A-4,482,646 describes an oxidative dehydrogenation process for a paraffin or a mixture of paraffins having from 2 to 5 carbon atoms employing a catalyst composition comprising lithium and titanium. In Nature, vol 314, 25.4.85, pages 721/722, Ito and Lunsford report that lithium-doped magnesium oxide (Li/Mg0) in the presence of oxygen has a high activity for abstracting H from CH₄ to form .CH₃ radicals which thereafter couple to form C₂H₆ and C₂H₄ in high yields under conventional catalytic conditions. The .CH₃ radicals are believed to be formed at (Li⁺o⁻) centres on Mg0 which has previously been observed in Li-doped Mg0 single crystals. We have now found that, contrary to the postulated mechanism, a wide variety of metal oxides can be used in place of Mg0. Accordingly, the present invention provides a process for the production of higher hydrocarbons from methane which process comprises reacting methane at elevated temperature with an oxygen-containing gas having a ratio of methane to oxygen of greater than the stoichiometric ratio for complete combustion in the presence of a catalyst consisting of a lithium-doped material which under the reaction conditions is a physically base-stable, non-melting, oxygen-stable compound selected from niobia, zirconia, thoria, tantala and boria. The catalyst is a lithium-doped material. Lithium may be provided in a number of forms, including the carbonate, the bicarbonate, the sulphate and the nitrate, preferably as the carbonate. The precise nature of the catalyst under the conditions of the reaction is not known with any degree of certainty. It is believed to comprise, after oxidative activation, principally lithium carbonate and a metal oxide, though the metal oxide may be converted into a lithium compound, for example a zirconate or borate. Lithium may be present in an amount up to about 18% w/w, but amounts in the range from 1 to 10% w/w will usually be found suitable. The catalyst may suitably be prepared by any of the techniques conventionally employed for catalyst preparation, for example by impregnation, precipitation or coprecipitation. It has been found that the material of the partial oxidation reactor has a significant effect upon the nature of the products obtained. Whereas stainless steels produce a considerable proportion of carbon oxides, quartz tends to produce C₂ hydrocarbons. For this reason it is preferred to use a reactor the walls of which have either been passivated by suitable chemical treatment or provided with a glass lining. The reactor may be of the fixed bed or fluid bed type, if necessary with means provided for the removal of heat. Before use in the process of the invention the catalyst is preferably activated, suitably by heating at elevated temperature in the presence of an oxygen-containing gas. The methane may be substantially pure or may be mixed with other gaseous paraffinic hydrocarbons, for example ethane and/or propane. Inert diluents, for example argon, helium or nitrogen, may also be employed if desired. The oxygen-containing gas may be, for example, air or an air/oxygen mixture. Substantially pure oxygen may also be used as the oxygen-containing gas. A suitable composition of the methane/oxygen-containing gas mixture at atmospheric pressure is a molar ratio of methane to oxygen of from 1.1 to 50 times the stoichiometric ratio of methane/oxygen for complete combustion to carbon dioxide and water. These limits are extendable if operation at pressures greater than atmospheric are envisaged or if the feed gases are preheated. It is preferred to operate at high methane to oxygen ratios within the aforesaid range because higher selectivities to C₂ hydrocarbons are obtained, though methane conversions are generally lower. Preferably, conditions are chosen which maximise the selectivity to C₂ hydrocarbons and the methane conversion. The process may suitably be operated at a temperature in the range from 600 to 800°C, preferably from 650 to 750°C. The pressure may suitably be atmospheric pressure, though elevated pressures may be employed. The methane and/or the oxygen-containing gas may suitably be preheated, if required, prior to contact with the catalyst. The invention will now be further illustrated by reference to the following Examples. Catalyst Preparation Catalysts were prepared by dry mixing AR grade lithium carbonate and the appropriate metal oxide with a mechanical stirrer. Sufficient water was added to form a smooth thick slurry which was mixed for a further ten minutes. The resulting slurry was dried in air at 125°C, and then calcined in air at 800°C for six hours. The product was crushed and sieved to 1.18 to 0.6 mm. Examples 1 to 6 The catalyst was charged into a quartz reactor mounted in a vertical tubular furnace, and heated to the respective temperature in a stream of nitrogen. The nitrogen stream was then replaced with a mixed methane/oxygen feed and after steady state had been achieved (approx 30 mins), the products were analysed by gas chromatography. The following catalysts were employed. Examples 1 to 4 - ZrO₂/Li₂CO₃, Li:Zr atomic ratio = 2.0. Examples 5 and 6 - Li₂CO₃/ThO₂, Li:Th atomic ratio = 1.9 The reaction conditions and the product analyses are given in Table 1

Claims: A process for the production of higher hydrocarbons from methane which process comprises reacting methane at elevated temperature with an oxygen-containing gas having a ratio of methane to oxygen of greater than the stoichiometric ratio for complete combustion in the presence of a catalyst consisting of a lithium-doped material which under the reaction conditions is a physically base-stable, non-melting, oxygen-stable compound selected from niobia, zirconia, thoria, tantala and boria. A process according to claim 1 wherein the lithium is added to the material to be doped in the form of either the carbonate, the bicarbonate, the sulphate or the nitrate. A process according to either claim 1 or claim 2 wherein lithium is present in an amount up to 18% w/w. A process according to claim 3 wherein lithium is present in an amount in the range from 1 to 10% w/w. A process according to any one of the preceding claims wherein prior to the reaction the catalyst is activated by heating at elevated temperature in the presence of an oxygen-containing gas. A process according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the molar ratio of methane to oxygen in the methane/oxygen-containing gas mixture at atmospheric pressure is from 1.1 to 50 times the stoichiometric ratio of methane to oxygen for complete combustion to carbon dioxide and water. A process according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the elevated temperature is in the range from 600 to 800°C. A process according to claim 8 wherein the temperature is in the range from 650 to 750°C.

Inventors: BROPHY, JOHN HOWARD THE BRITISH PETROLEUM CO. PLC., WADE, STEVEN RONALD THE BRITISH PETROLEUM CO. PLC.
Applicants: THE BRITISH PETROLEUM COMPANY P.L.C.
Application year: 1986
Main classification: C07C2
IPC codes: B01J23, C07C11, C07C2, C07B61, C07C1, C07C67, C07C9