Effect of pressure on the oxidative cracking of C<Subscript>2</Subscript>—C<Subscript>4</Subscript> alkanes

The influence of pressure on the oxidative cracking of light alkanes C₂—C₄ was investigated. An elevated pressure reduces the temperature of oxycracking of light alkanes but with further increase in pressure the effect is reduced. The applied pressure decreases the temperature of the total conversion of oxygen while the maximum conversion of alkanes is not influenced. The pressure above atmospheric promotes oxidative cracking reactions but weakly affects thermal processes. At deep conversion of light alkanes, the selectivity towards main products is nearly invariable at the utilized pressures.     

Selective Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Ethane and Propane over Copper-Containing Mordenite: Insights into Reaction Mechanism and Product Protection

Copper(II)-containing mordenite (CuMOR) is capable of activation of C−H bonds in C₁-C₃ alkanes, albeit there are remarkable differences between the functionalization of ethane and propane compared to methane. The reaction of ethane and propane with CuMOR results in the formation of ethylene and propylene, while the reaction of methane predominantly yields methanol and dimethyl ether. By combining in situ FTIR and MAS NMR spectroscopies as well as time-resolved Cu K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy, the reaction mechanism was derived, which differs significantly for each alkane. The formation of ethylene and propylene proceeds via oxidative dehydrogenation of the corresponding alkanes with selectivity above 95 % for ethane and above 85 % for propane. The formation of stable π-complexes of olefins with Cu^I sites, formed upon reduction of Cu^II-oxo species, protects olefins from further oxidation and/or oligomerization. This is different from methane, the activation of which proceeds via oxidative hydroxylation leading to the formation of surface methoxy species bonded to the zeolite framework. Our findings constitute one of the major steps in the direct conversion of alkanes to important commodities and open a novel research direction aiming at the selective synthesis of olefins.     

Production of Ethylene,CO, and Hydrogen by Oxidative Cracking of Oil Refinery Gas Components

Flowsheets based on the results of experimental studies and detailed kinetic modeling were suggested for oxidative cracking of oil refinery gas components to obtain ethylene, CO, and hydrogen. The calculations show that oxidative cracking alone does not allow production of ethylene and СО in ratios required for the further catalytic carbonylation and hydroformylation of ethylene. Matrix conversion of a part of oxy-cracking products is suggested as an additional step for producing CO and hydrogen.

     

Towards a Practical Development of Light‐Driven Acceptorless Alkane Dehydrogenation

The efficient catalytic dehydrogenation of alkanes to olefins is one of the most investigated reactions in organic synthesis. In the coming years, an increased supply of shorter‐chain alkanes from natural and shale gas will offer new opportunities for inexpensive carbon feedstock through such dehydrogenation processes. Existing methods for alkane dehydrogenation using heterogeneous catalysts require harsh reaction conditions and have a lack of selectivity, whereas homogeneous catalysis methods result in significant waste generation. A strong need exists for atom‐efficient alkane dehydrogenations on a useful scale. Herein, we have developed improved acceptorless catalytic systems under optimal light transmittance conditions using trans‐[Rh(PMe₃)₂(CO)Cl] as the catalyst with different additives. Unprecedented catalyst turnover numbers are obtained for the dehydrogenation of cyclic and linear (from C₄) alkanes and liquid organic hydrogen carriers. These reactions proceed with unique conversion, thereby providing a basis for practical alkane dehydrogenations.     

Oxidative processing of light alkanes: State-of-the-art and prospects

Recent literature data on partial oxidation of light alkanes into syngas and oxidative coupling of methane into C₂ hydrocarbons are reviewed. The problems of these processes (high cost of pure oxygen; safety; activity, selectivity and stability of catalysts; temperature regime; coke formation and other by-products; insufficient level of methane transformation into ethane and ethylene) are considered. Possible solutions of these problems and prospects of practical use of light alkanes processing are discussed.     

Three-phase electrochemistry for green ethylene production

The electrochemical conversion of greenhouse gases (mainly CO₂ and CH₄) into ethylene has attracted worldwide attention. Compared with thermal cracking and dehydrogenation ethylene production processes, electrochemical ethylene production is an energy-saving and environmentally friendly process with high atom and energy economies. Great efforts have been made in enhancing the performance of electrochemical CO_x reduction and alkane dehydrogenation reactions in recent years. The complicated interactions between gas reactants, electrolytes, and catalysts force the three-phase interface mass transfer process an important issue in determining the electrochemical activity and product selectivity. Herein, we summarize the recent progresses on electrochemical ethylene production. Special attention has been paid to the principles for the design of gas–liquid–solid and gas–solid–solid three-phase interfaces and their influence on the electrochemical CO_x reduction and alkane dehydrogenation reactions. The comprehensive understanding of those different ethylene production reactions together from the perspective of the three-phase interface-related mass transfer process would provide new insights into the design of advanced electrochemical cells for green ethylene production.     

Reductive and oxidative combustion of polyethylene bags: Characterization of carbonaceous and nitrogenous species

This study aims to experimentally characterize the gaseous carbonaceous and nitrogenous species from the reductive and oxidant combustion of polyethylene plastic bags. The experimental device used is the tubular furnace, coupled to two gas analyzers: a Fourier transform infrared analyzer (FTIR) and a non dispersive infrared analyzer (NDIR). The gaseous products analyzed are: CO, CO₂, CH₄, C₃H₈, C₂H₄, C₂H₂, C₆H₆, HCN, N₂O, NO, NO₂ and NH₃. The experiments were conducted at temperatures ranging from 800 to 1000 °C. The results obtained allow us to note that carbonaceous compounds are mainly emitted as carbon oxides (CO and CO₂) whether you are reductive combustion or oxidative combustion.In addition:

• -Under reductive conditions, combustion is controlled by oxygen. The hydrocarbon most active in the formation of carbon monoxide is ethylene (C₂H₄) and to a lesser extent, from 900 °C, acetylene (C₂H₂). The extents we have made show that ammonia seem to be emitted during combustion with 10% of oxygen.
• -In an oxidative environment, there is production of C₆H₆ in substantial quantities, which partly explains the presence of soot and tar in the smoke exhaust ducts. The C₂H₄, CH₄ and C₂H₂ are hydrocarbons most active in the formation of CO and CO₂. Increasing of concentration of local oxygen from 10 to 21% for the combustion of plastic bags, favors an increase in efficiency of carbon conversion about 30%. About 99% of the carbon of the fuel is found to be converted to carbon oxides or hydrocarbons. Nitrogen monoxide (NO) is the major component among the gases measured with a conversion rate of nitrogen about 20%, three times larger than that obtained during the reductive combustion of plastic bags with 10% oxygen.

     

Homogeneous catalytic oxidation of light alkanes: C-C bond cleavage under mild conditions

The combined oxidation of CO and C₂–C₄ alkanes (associated petroleum gas and natural gas components) under the action of oxygen in trifluoroacetic acid solutions in the presence of rhodium and copper chlorides was accompanied by the oxidative degradation of C-C bonds in a hydrocarbon chain with the formation of carbonyl compounds, alcohols, and esters. For butane and isobutane, the reaction path with C-C bond cleavage was predominant. The buildup curves of isobutane oxidation products (both with the retention and with the degradation of the chain) were S-shaped and characterized by the same induction period; they did not pass through a maximum. A reaction scheme was proposed to reflect the main special features of the mechanism of transformations occurring in the O₂/Rh/Cu/Cl⁻ oxidation system.     

Mechanism of the reductive dehydration of ethanol into C<Subscript>3+</Subscript> alkanes over the commercial alumina—platinum catalyst AP-64

The mechanism of the reductive dehydration of ethanol (RDE) into C₃₊ alkanes over the commercial alumina—platinum catalyst AP-64 has been investigated. The catalyst pre-reduction time has an effect on the conversion of ethanol and on that of ethylene, a possible intermediate compound in the RDE reaction. Over the catalyst reduced for 12 h, ethanol turns into a C₃-C₁₂ alkane fraction and ethylene turns into a C₃-C₁₂ olefin fraction, whose yields are 39.0 and 31.4%, respectively. Energetic parameters of ethanol chemisorption and conversion on a Pt₆Al₄ cluster have been determined by the density functional theory method using the PRIRODA 13 program. Ethanol dehydration into ethylene proceeds via the successive breaking of C-H and C-O bonds, and the rate-determining step of the process depends on the atom (Pt or Al) to which the OH group of the alcohol is coordinated. Hydroxyl group transfer from the Pt atom to the nearest Al atom is energetically favorable here. It is hypothesized that the main role of the metal-containing cluster is donation of chemisorbed ethylene to the nearest acid sites, on which the ethylene oligomerizes into a C₃-C₁₀ hydrocarbon fraction.     

The photochemically induced reaction of sulfur dioxide with alkanes and carbon monoxide

Abstract— The gas phase photochemical reactions of SO₂ induced by 3130 Å radiation have been studied in the presence of added alkanes or added CO. The quantum yields obtained in the reactions with the low molecular weight alkanes employed are lower than those obtained by previous workers. The quantum yields were found to be pressure dependent increasing slowly with increasing pressure. A stoichiometric ratio of one SO₂ removed per molecule of hydrocarbon consumed was observed only under experimental conditions of [SO₂] < [RH]. For reaction mixtures where [SO₂] < [RH] the ratio of [SO₂]/[RH] reacted always exceeded unity. The quantum yields decreased slightly with increasing temperature. In all the alkane reaction systems studied, the deposition of viscous, nonvolatile reaction products was observed. In the experiments with added CO, the quantum yields were computed with respect to the rate of CO₂ formation. At 25°C and equal pressures of SO₂ and CO, φco₂ was observed to be 0.005 and it decreased slightly with increasing temperature. The results obtained are interpreted in terms of the sulfoxidation of the alkanes and the oxidation of CO proceeding by way of a ³SO₂ reaction intermediate.     

Highly Selective Production of Ethylene by the Electroreduction of Carbon Monoxide

Conversion of carbon monoxide to high value‐added ethylene with high selectivity by traditional syngas conversion process is challenging because of the limitation of Anderson‐Schulz–Flory distribution. Herein we report a direct electrocatalytic process for highly selective ethylene production from CO reduction with water over Cu catalysts at room temperature and ambient pressure. An unprecedented 52.7 % Faradaic efficiency of ethylene formation is achieved through optimization of cathode structure to facilitate CO diffusion at the surface of the electrode and Cu catalysts to enhance the C?C bond coupling. The highly selective ethylene production is almost without other carbon‐based byproducts (e.g. C₁–C₄ hydrocarbons and CO₂) and avoids the drawbacks of the traditional Fischer–Tropsch process that always delivers undesired products. This study provides a new and promising strategy for highly selective production of ethylene from the abundant industrial CO.     

Ethylene Epoxidation in an AC Dielectric Barrier Discharge Jet System

In this work, ethylene epoxidation was investigated in a dielectric barrier discharge jet (DBDJ) with a separate ethylene/oxygen feed under oxygen lean conditions. The ethylene (C₂H₄) stream was directly injected behind the plasma zone in order to reduce all undesired reactions, including C₂H₄ cracking and further reactions, while the oxygen (O₂) balanced with argon was fed through the plasma zone totally to maximize the formation of active oxygen species. The effects of various operating parameters, such as total feed flow rate, O₂/C₂H₄ feed molar ratio, applied voltage, input frequency, and C₂H₄ feed position on the ethylene epoxidation activity, were investigated to determine the optimum operating conditions for this new DBDJ system. The highest ethylene oxide (EO) selectivity (55.2 %) and yield (27.6 %), as well as the lowest power consumption (3.3 × 10^?21 and 6.0 × 10^?21 Ws/molecule C₂H₄ converted and EO produced, respectively) were obtained at a total feed flow rate of 1,625 cm³/min (corresponding to a residence time of 0.022 s), an O₂/C₂H₄ feed molar ratio of 0.25:1, an applied voltage of 9 kV, an input frequency of 300 Hz, and a C₂H₄ feed position of 3 mm behind the plasma zone. The superior activity of the ethylene epoxidation in the DBDJ system resulted from a small reaction volume as well as a separate ethylene/oxygen feed.     

Alumina-platinum catalyst in the reductive dehydration of ethanol and diethyl ether to alkanes

The reductive dehydration of ethanol and diethyl ether selectively occurs with the formation of alkanes to C₁₀₊ on an AP-64 alumina-platinum catalyst (0.6 wt % Pt/γ-Al₂O₃) after its reduction with hydrogen at 450°C for 12 h in Ar. It was found that one of the main reaction paths is the insertion of ethylene into substrate intermediates with the predominant formation of normal alkanes. It was found by XAFS spectroscopy that Pt₂Al intermetallide particles were formed along with platinum metal clusters after long reduction. The ammonia TPD data indicated a change in the acid properties of the surface after the long reduction of the catalyst: the concentration of medium-strength surface aprotic acid sites increased by a factor of 2. It was found that the interaction of aprotic sites with water vapor resulted in the formation of strong proton acid sites. It is likely that these latter are responsible for the growth of a carbon skeleton in the course of alkane formation from ethanol.     

Hydroperoxide Oxidation of Difficult-to-Oxidize Substrates: An Unprecedented C–C Bond Cleavage in Alkanes and the Oxidation of Molecular Nitrogen

In the V^(V)H₂O₂/AcOH system, C₅–C₂₀ n-alkanes, isooctane, and neohexane undergo oxidation to ketones and alcohols; the oxidation products of branched alkanes are indicative of a C–C bond cleavage in these substrates. A concept is developed, according to which the peroxo complexes of vanadium(V) are responsible for alkane oxidation. These complexes can transfer the oxygen atom or the O^+· radical cation to a substrate. The formation of nitrous oxide was found in the oxidation of molecular nitrogen in the H₂O₂/V^(V)/CF₃COOH system.     

Gas Evolution from the Pyrolysis of Jordan Oil Shale in A Fixed-bed Reactor

Jordan oil shale from El-Lajjun deposit was pyrolysed in a fixed-bed pyrolysis reactor and the influence of the pyrolysis temperature between 400 to 620°C and the influence of the pyrolysis atmosphere using nitrogen and nitrogen/steam on the product yield and gas composition were investigated. The gases analysed were H₂, CO, CO₂ and hydrocarbons from C₁ to C₄. The results showed for both nitrogen and nitrogen/steam that increase the pyrolysis bed temperature from 400 to 520°C resulted in a significant increase in the oil yield, after which temperature the oil yield decreased. The alkene/alkane ratio including ethene/ethane, propene/propane, and butene/butane ratios, can be used as an indication of pyrolysis temperature and the magnitude of cracking reactions. Increasing alkene/alkane ratio occurring with increasing pyrolysis temperature. The alkene/alkane ratio for nitrogen/steam pyrolysis atmosphere was lower than the one found under nitrogen atmosphere. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Conjugate conversion of methanol and n-butane on zinc-zirconium catalysts

Conversion of n-butane, methanol, and their mixture on ZSM-5 zeolite catalysts containing zinc and/or zirconium was studied, and ways were found to control the yield and ratio of major reaction products: C₁-C₃ alkanes, C₂-C₄ alkenes, C₅-C₇ isoalkanes, and arenes. The schemes of formation of these products were suggested.     

Separation and characterization of products from thermal cracking of individual and mixed polyalkenes

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), and their mixture in the mass ratio of 1: 1 (LDPE/PP) were thermally decomposed in a batch reactor at 450°C. The formed gaseous and oil/wax products were separated and analyzed by gas chromatography. The oils/waxes underwent both atmospheric and vacuum distillation. Densities, molar masses and bromine numbers of liquid distillates and distillation residues were determined. The first distillate fraction from the thermally decomposed LDPE contained mostly linear alkanes and alk-1-enes ranging from C₆ to C₁₃ (boiling point up to 180°C). The second distillate fraction was composed mostly of hydrocarbons C₁₁ to C₂₂ (boiling point up to 330°C). 2,4-Dimethylhept-1-ene was the major component of the first distillate fraction obtained from the product of PP decomposition, while in the 2nd distillate fraction it was 2,4,6,8-tetramethylundec-1-ene. The yields of some gaseous or liquid hydrocarbons obtained by distillation from thermally degraded LDPE/PP differed from the values corresponding to the decomposition of individual plastics due to the mutual influence of polyalkenes during their thermal cracking. Similarly, the yields of propene and methylpropene in the gaseous phase were higher in the case of mixture. Whereas the content of C₉ to C₁₇ alkanes and alkenes in the distillates separated from the liquid mixture obtained by the decomposition of LDPE/PP decreased, the formation of 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexamethylpentadec-1-ene remained unchanged. The corresponding mechanisms of thermal cracking were discussed.     

Combined Reforming and Partial Oxidation of CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-Containing Natural Gas Using an AC Multistage Gliding Arc Discharge System: Effect of Stage Number of Plasma Reactors

The effect of stage number of multistage AC gliding arc discharge reactors on the process performance of the combined reforming and partial oxidation of simulated CO₂-containing natural gas having a CH₄:C₂H₆:C₃H₈:CO₂ molar ratio of 70:5:5:20 was investigated. For the experiments with partial oxidation, either pure oxygen or air was used as the oxygen source with a fixed hydrocarbon-to-oxygen molar ratio of 2/1. Without partial oxidation at a constant feed flow rate, all conversions of hydrocarbons, except CO₂, greatly increased with increasing number of stages from 1 to 3; but beyond 3 stages, the reactant conversions remained almost unchanged. However, for a constant residence time, only C₃H₈ conversion gradually increased, whereas the conversions of the other reactants remained almost unchanged. The addition of oxygen was found to significantly enhance the process performance of natural gas reforming. The utilization of air as an oxygen source showed a superior process performance to pure oxygen in terms of reactant conversion and desired product selectivity. The optimum energy consumption of 12.05 × 10²⁴ eV per mole of reactants converted and 9.65 × 10²⁴ eV per mole of hydrogen produced was obtained using air as an oxygen source and 3 stages of plasma reactors at a constant residence time of 4.38 s.     

Conversion of hydrocarbon gases in dielectric barrier discharge in the presence of water

The conversion of C₁–C₄ hydrocarbons into gaseous and liquid products in a dielectric barrier discharge plasma in the presence of water has been studied. The formation of a deposit on the electrode surface is prevented by introducing water in the liquid state into a gaseous hydrocarbon stream, a finding that has been confirmed by IR spectroscopic study of the electrode surface. Hydrogen and C₂₊ hydrocarbons have been detected among the gaseous products of conversion, the liquid products being represented by C₆–C₁₀₊ alkanes. The total liquid products have amounted to 13.4, 26.0, or 36.6% for the methane, propane, or n-butane conversion, respectively. A 10% propane or butane admixture to methane increases the yield of the liquid products to make 22.0 and 31.7% for the methane–propane and the methane–butane mixture, respectively.     

Oxidative coupling of methane for the production of ethylene over Li-Ni/MgO catalys

Oxidative coupling of methane for the production of ethylene was studied over Li-Ni/MgO catalyst in a fixed bed reactor. The influences of important reaction parameters such as temperature (T), methane/oxygen ratio (CH₄/O₂) in feed and space velocity of reactants (V/m_cat) were studied over the conversion of methane, yields of ethylene and ethane and selectivity of ethylene formation. The reaction conditions were varied as 650 < T < 850^oC, 0.83 x 10^-6 < V/m_cat < 2.92 x 10^-6 m³/g s and 1 < CH₄/O₂ ratio < 8.