STEADY-STATE PRODUCTION OF OLEFINS IN HIGH YIELDS DURING THE OXIDATIVE COUPLING OF METHANE - UTILIZATION OF A MEMBRANE CONTACTOR

Oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) catalysis has been studied extensi vely in recent years, with the goal of using abundant natural gas reso urces for the production of feedstock olefins. We have developed an in tegrated recycle system which includes a Mn/Na2WO4/SiO2 catalyst for t he conversion of methane to ethane, ethylene, and propylene and a memb rane contactor for the continuous removal of olefins from the gas stre am. The olefins, complexed by aqueous Ag+ ions, are subsequently relea sed into the gas phase at 760 Torr. Olefin yields up to 75% with an ol efin purity of 85% (principally ethylene) can be achieved at a gas rec ycle ratio of 11.