THE OXCO PROCESS - A NEW CONCEPT FOR THE PRODUCTION OF OLEFINS FROM NATURAL-GAS

A new conceptual route for the conversion of natural gas to olefins via the oxidative coupling of methane is described. Data are presented that establish the feasibility of key aspects of the concept, known as the OXCO process, for the total utilization of all components of natural gas feedstocks. The results demonstrate that methane coupling and the pyrolysis of higher alkanes can be efficiently combined within a single fluidized bed reactor. Mass balances based on these results indicate that the process has the potential for converting natural gas to olefins with a carbon efficiency of > 80%.