Importance

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Abstract

The present invention relates to a process for converting methane into a higher alkane mixture, preferably a liquid alkane mixture, comprising (C.sub.3+) alkanes having 3 carbon atoms and more, preferably (C.sub.4+) alkanes having 4 carbon atoms, especially (C.sub.5+) alkanes having 5 carbon atoms and more. The process comprises:--a stage (1) comprising contacting methane with a metal catalyst (C1) capable of producing, in contact with alkane, reactions involving the splitting and recombining of C--C and/or C--H and/or C-metal bonds, so as to form by a non-oxidative methane coupling reaction a mixture (M1) comprising ethane and hydrogen,--preferably a stage (2) comprising fractionating the mixture (M1) so as to separate and to isolate the ethane, and--a stage (3) comprising, preferably simultaneously, (i) contacting the mixture (M1) or preferably the ethane isolated in stage (2) with a metal catalyst (C2) capable of producing, in contact with alkane, reactions involving the splitting and recombining of C--C and/or C--H and/or C-metal bonds, said catalyst being identical to or different from catalyst (C1), so as to form by simultaneous ethane self- and cross-metathesis reactions a mixture (M2) comprising methane and the higher alkane mixture, and (ii) fractionating the mixture (M2) so as to separate and to isolate said higher alkane mixture, preferably in liquid form, and particularly the methane which is preferably recycled into stage (1). The hydrogen produced in stage (1) is preferably separated and isolated in stage (2) and then used for various applications and stages, e.g. for producing thermal and/or electrical energies preferably employed to run the process.

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First Claim