Abstract: A process for converting natural gas to a hydrocarbon liquid wherein a stream of natural gas at a selected pressure is mixed with a hot gas stream which is at a temperature sufficient to affect a chemical reaction and form an intermediate product stream containing reactive hydrocarbons, the intermediate product stream being quenched and the quenched intermediate product stream being reacted in a catalytic liquification zone to produce a hydrocarbon liquid.
Abstract: An improved process for the conversion of normally gaseous methane-containing hydrocarbon mixtures, such as natural gas, to a normally liquid hydrocarbon product comprises separating the methane component of the gaseous mixture from the heavier hydrocarbon component, cracking the separated heavier: hydrocarbon component at a relatively low temperature and optionally cracking the methane component at a relatively high temperature. The low temperature cracking product and any high temperature cracking product are separated into a light product of principally hydrogen and a heavy product comprising unsaturated hydrocarbons. This heavy product is reacted with methane in the presence of an acidic alkalization catalyst. The resulting product mixture is separated into a light product, a portion of which is recycled, and the normally liquid hydrocarbon product.
Abstract: An improved process for the glycol dehydration of water-containing natural gas comprises contacting the natural gas and glycol in a contacting zone to produce a dried natural gas and a water-rich glycol, and heating the water-rich glycol in a regeneration zone to produce a water-lean glycol for reintroduction into the contacting zone and a water-containing gaseous overhead. The gaseous overhead is partially condensed and the resulting gaseous components are returned to the contacting zone. In a preferred embodiment, the glycol is further purified by contact in a separate stripping column with dry stripping gas under a pressure lower than that of the regeneration zone.