THE DIRECT OXIDATION OF ETHANE TO ALCOHOLS AT HIGH-PRESSURES

The oxidation of ethane to ethanol and methanol has been studied at 34 atm. The best result obtained was the total alcohol selectivity of 57 % at ethane conversion of 6.2%. The liquid collected contained 37% of methanol and 17% of ethanol. The effect of reaction variables on produ ct distribution and alcohol selectivity and the effect of pre-heater h ave been examined. The selectivity for ethanol was particularly sensit ive to reaction parameters, while the selectivity of methanol formatio n of 25-30% has been found for wide range of reaction conditions. At h igh temperatures the transition to oxidative coupling of ethane with n -butane formation as the major product (selectivity up to 33%) was obs erved. Due to the formation of alcohols and butane the process studied has the potential for the production of octane enhancers such as MTBE and ETBE. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. AU rights reserved.