METHANE AS FEEDSTOCK FOR THE CHEMICAL-INDUSTRY

An examination is made of the present state of the chemical processing of natural gas and the future directions of research in the field of catalytic methane conversions. It is shown that the direct conversion of methane to valuable compounds opens the way to energy- and resource -saving processes that have important advantages over the multistage p rocessing of natural gas. For example, the oxidative condensation of m ethane to ethylene makes it possible to replace scarce petroleum feeds tock with natural gas in the production of this most important semipro duct of petroleum chemistry. An analysis of recent trends in oil and g as production and also of ecological requirements indicates the need f or the wider use of natural gas as feedstock for the chemical industry .