Higher hydrocarbons from methane condensation mediated by HBr

Methane condensation to higher hydrocarbons with a single-pass methane conversion of 30% and total carbon selectivity of 90% has been achieved in a system of two-stage serial reactors. Methane reacts with HBr and oxygen in the first catalyst bed at 660 °C to form CH3Br and CH2Br2, while CH3Br and CH2Br2 are converted to higher hydrocarbons in the second catalyst bed at 240 °C. A reusable sorption material MgO/SiO2 has been identified for the separation of HBr from H2O and olefins (performed at 200 °C), making the recovery of bromine and the purification of olefins feasible.

Graphical abstractMethane was condensed to higher hydrocarbons by a hydrogen bromide mediated catalytic process. Methane was converted to bromomethanes by reacting with oxygen and HBr over the first catalyst, and then bromomethanes were converted to higher hydrocarbons to regenerate HBr.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide