Production of light alkenes with low CO2 emission from gas phase oxidative cracking (GOC) of hexane

Compared with non-oxidative pyrolysis of hexane, the rupture of C-C bonds of hexane in the GOC process becomes rather easy due to the change of thermodynamics and kinetics of the reaction with introduction of oxygen. CO predominates in the COx produced, and the ratio CO/CO₂ can be as high as 16. The GOC process could be operated in an autothermic way, which would minimize energy consumption of the whole process and greatly decrease the CO₂ emission. GOC seems to be an environmentally benign and promising alternative route for light alkenes production using heavy feedstock. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.