Patent GB-355210-A (GB)
Title: Processes for recovering higher hydrocarbons and hydrogen or gases containing hydrogen
IPC: C01B3/34
Filed: 1930-02-17
Abstract: Gases containing hydrocarbons such as methane, ethylene, acetylene or their homologues, as for example coke-oven gas, natural gas, waste gas from benzol synthesis, or the methane-containing gases from the catalytic conversion of mixtures of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, are converted into gases having a high hydrogen content, together with polymerization products, by treatment with electrical fields such as high frequency oscillations.  This treatment may be combined with a heat treatment, preferably at temperatures over 900 DEG  C., which may take place simultaneously with or immediately following the electrical treatment, the whole process being repeated if required. The composition of the gas obtained and the amount of splitting which occurs can be varied by regulating the pressure, intensity, duration and method of action of the electrical fields, and also the duration and temperature of the heat treatment.  The amount of splitting which occurs increases with the voltage of the fields and the temperature used, more liquid polymerization products and finally solid carbon being obtained.  The hydrogen-containing gases may be further treated according to thepurpose for which they are intended, e.g. the impurities may be separated by supercooling and nitrogen added, thus obtaining a mixture suitable for the synthesis of ammonia.  The process may be employed for transforming gases rich in hydrocarbons into a gas which closely approximates to coal gas in composition, and is suitable for gas supply purposes; or for controlling the calorific value of a gas from a distant source of supply.  In the latter case, a fraction enriched with hydrocarbons is obtained from the whole or a portion of the gas according to a known process, and is then treated according to the invention.  After conversion, undesired constituents are removed, and the product, if desired together with decomposition fractions which are low in hydrocarbons, is added to the gas from a distant source.ALSO:Gases containing hydrocarbons such as methane, ethylene, acetylene or their homologues, as for example coke-oven gas, natural gas, waste gas from benzol synthesis, or the methane containing gases from the catalytic conversion of mixtures of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, are converted into gases having a high hydrogen content, together with polymerization products by treatment with electrical fields such as high frequency oscillations.  This treatment may be combined with a heat treatment, preferably at temperatures over 900 DEG  C., which may take place simultaneously with or immediately following the electrical treatment, the whole process being repeated if required.  The composition of the gas obtained and the amount of splitting which occurs can be varied by regulating the pressure, intensification, duration and method of action of the electrical fields, and also the duration and temperature of the heat treatment.  The amount of splitting which occurs increases with the voltage of the fields and the temperature used, more liquid polymerization products and finally solid carbon being obtained.