NATURAL-GAS CONVERSION TO LIQUID FUELS AND CHEMICALS - WHERE DOES IT STAND

The recent literature on the direct conversion of methane to oxygenates and higher hydrocarbons is reviewed, with particular attention on the production of methanol and ethene. The advances made in these areas over the last ten years or so are highlighted, and the current commercial viability of these processes is assessed from the perspective of existing commercial processes. The review concludes by underlining the market potential of ethene production directly from methane, stating however that the technology is still not quite ready to challenge existing syngas-based processes. In addition the review explores some of the more recent novel approaches to direct methane conversion, which may ultimately help achieve the goal of a commercial process based on the direct conversion of methane.