Title:
ANHYDROUS PROCESSING OF METHANE INTO METHANE-SULFONIC ACID, METHANOL, AND OTHER COMPOUNDS
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO2005069751
Kind Code:
A3
Abstract:
Radicals with unpaired electrons are used to initiate a chain reaction that converts small hydrocarbons such as methane into oxygenated liquids. An initiator such as Marshall's acid is used to create methyl radicals. These radicals combine with sulfur trioxide to form methyl-sulfonate radicals. These radicals remove hydrogen from methane that is being added to the reactor, creating stable methanesulfonic acid (MSA, H3CSO3H) and new methyl radicals, to sustain a chain reaction while methane and S03 are continuously added to the reactor. Anhydrous conditions avoid the use or creation of water, and MSA in the reactor increases the solubility and reaction rates of methane and SO3. MSA can be heated to release methanol, or processed to create gasoline, dimethyl ether, formaldehyde, or other valuable liquids. Any SOS released by processing of MSA can be oxidized to S03 and recycled back into the system. Very high yields and selectivity (greater than 95%) have been shown in early tests.
Inventors:
RICHARDS ALAN K (US)
Application Number:
PCT/US2004/019977
Publication Date:
September 21, 2006
Filing Date:
June 21, 2004
Export Citation:
Assignee:
RICHARDS ALAN K (US)
International Classes:
C07C309/02; C07C29/00; C07C29/12; C07C303/06; C07C309/04
Foreign References:
| US2553576A | 1951-05-22 | |||
| US2493038A | 1950-01-03 |
Other References:
MUKHOPADHYAY ET AL.: "Effects of Solvent Acidity on the Free-Radical-Initiated Synthesis of Methanesulfonic Acid from CH4 and SO3", IND. ENG. CHEM. RES., vol. 41, 2002, pages 5901 - 5905, XP008118126
MUKHOPADHYAY ET AL.: "A High-Yield Approach to the Sulfonation of Methane to Methanesulfonic Acid Initiated by H2O2 and a Metal Chloride", ANGEW. CHEM. INT. ED., vol. 42, 2003, pages 2990 - 2993
MUKHOPADHYAY ET AL.: "A High-Yield Approach to the Sulfonation of Methane to Methanesulfonic Acid Initiated by H2O2 and a Metal Chloride", ANGEW. CHEM. INT. ED., vol. 42, 2003, pages 2990 - 2993
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