Abstract: A method comprising providing a halogen stream; providing a first alkane stream; reacting at least a portion of the halogen stream with at least a portion of the first alkane stream to form a halogenated stream, wherein the halogenated stream comprises alkyl monohalides, alkyl polyhalides, and a hydrogen halide; providing a second alkane stream; and reacting at least a portion of the second alkane stream with at least a portion of the alkyl polyhalides to create at least some additional alkyl monohalides.

Abstract: A method comprising: providing a first halogen stream; providing a first alkane stream; reacting at least a portion of the first halogen stream with at least a portion of the first alkane stream in a first reaction vessel to form a first halogenated stream; providing a second alkane stream comprising C2 and higher hydrocarbons; providing a second halogen stream; and reacting at least a portion of the second halogen stream with at least a portion of the second alkane stream in a second reaction vessel to form a second halogenated stream.

Abstract: Improvements in previously disclosed methods of and apparatuses for converting alkanes, alkenes, and aromatics to olefins, alcohols, ethers, and aldehydes includes: safety improvements, use of alternative feedstocks, process simplification, improvements to the halogenation step, improvements to the reproportionation step, improvements to the solid oxide reaction, improvements to solid oxide regeneration, improvements in separations, maintenance, start-up, shut-down, and materials of construction.

Abstract: A process is disclosed that includes brominating a C2, C3, C4, C5 or C6 alkane with elemental bromine to form a bromo-alkane. The bromo-alkane is reacted to form a C2, C3, C4, C5 or C6 alkene and HBr. The HBr is oxidized to form elemental bromine.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing hydrocarbons from smaller hydrocarbons includes the steps of hydrocarbon halogenation, simultaneous oligomerization and hydrogen halide neutralization, and product recovery, with a metal-oxygen cataloreactant used to facilitate carbon-carbon coupling. Treatment with air or oxygen liberates halogen and regenerates the cataloreactant.

Abstract: A method comprising: providing an alkyl halide stream; contacting at least some of the alkyl halides with a coupling catalyst to form a product stream comprising higher hydrocarbons and hydrogen halide; contacting the product stream with a solid reactant to remove at least a portion of the hydrogen halide from the product stream; and reacting the solid reactant with a source of oxygen to generate a corresponding halogen.

Abstract: A method comprising providing a halogen stream; providing a first alkane stream; reacting at least a portion of the halogen stream with at least a portion of the first alkane stream to form a halogenated stream, wherein the halogenated stream comprises alkyl monohalides, alkyl polyhalides, and a hydrogen halide; providing a second alkane stream; and reacting at least a portion of the second alkane stream with at least a portion of the alkyl polyhalides to create at least some additional alkyl monohalides.

Abstract: An improved process and a zone reactor for converting a hydrocarbon feedstock into higher hydrocarbons is provided. A first zone in the reactor contains both a material capable of releasing hydrogen halide (HX) and a carbon-carbon coupling catalyst; a second zone is initially empty or contains a halogenation and/or oxyhalogenation catalyst; and a third zone contains both a carbon-carbon coupling catalyst and a material capable of capturing HX. Air or oxygen is introduced into the first zone, a feedstock is introduced into the second zone, and products are produced in the third zone. HX produced during the reaction is reversibly captured and released in zones 1 and 3.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing hydrocarbons from smaller hydrocarbons includes the steps of hydrocarbon halogenation, simultaneous oligomerization and hydrogen halide neutralization, and product recovery, with a metal-oxygen cataloreactant used to facilitate carbon-carbon coupling. Treatment with air or oxygen liberates halogen and regenerates the cataloreactant.

Abstract: A process is provided for separating one or more light gases from bromine or chlorine using one or more physical separations and contact with a chemical scrubber to recover additional halogen. In one aspect, the process comprises (a) providing a feed of halogen containing one or more light gases to a distillation column or flash vaporizer; (b) operating the distillation column or flash vaporizer to separate the feed into (i) a first liquid containing a major amount of halogen and no more than a minor amount of light gas(es), and (ii) a first vapor containing a major amount of light gas(es) and no more than a minor amount of halogen; and (c) providing the vapor to a chemical scrubber to recover halogen from the vapor.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing hydrocarbons from smaller hydrocarbons includes the steps of hydrocarbon halogenation, simultaneous oligomerization and hydrogen halide neutralization, and product recovery, with a metal-oxygen cataloreactant used to facilitate carbon-carbon coupling. Treatment with air or oxygen liberates halogen and regenerates the cataloreactant.

Abstract: Improvements in previously disclosed methods of and apparatuses for converting alkanes, alkenes, and aromatics to olefins, alcohols, ethers, and aldehydes includes: safety improvements, use of alternative feedstocks, process simplification, improvements to the halogenation step, improvements to the reproportionation step, improvements to the solid oxide reaction, improvements to solid oxide regeneration, improvements in separations, maintenance, start-up, shut-down, and materials of construction.

Abstract: An improved continuous process for converting methane, natural gas, or other hydrocarbon feedstocks into one or more higher hydrocarbons or olefins by continuously cycling through the steps of alkane halogenation, product formation (carbon-carbon coupling), product separation, and regeneration of halogen is provided. Preferably, the halogen is continually recovered by reacting hydrobromic acid with air or oxygen. The invention provides an efficient route to aromatic compounds, aliphatic compounds, mixtures of aliphatic and aromatic compounds, olefins, gasoline grade materials, and other useful products.

Abstract: A process for the removal of a pollutant from a gas is provided that includes contacting a gas comprising a pollutant with a cataloreactant wherein the cataloreactant reacts with the pollutant and wherein an oxidation state of the cataloreactant is reduced. The cataloreactant may be regenerated with an oxidizing agent.

Abstract: In a method of converting alkanes to their corresponding alcohols and ethers a vessel comprises a hollow, unsegregated interior defined first, second, and third zones. In a first embodiment of the invention oxygen reacts with metal bromide in the first zone to provide bromine; bromine reacts with the alkane in the second zone to form alkyl bromide; and the alkyl bromide reacts with metal oxide in the third zone to form the corresponding alcohol and/or ether. Metal bromide from the third zone is transported through the vessel to the first zone and metal oxide from the first zone is recycled to the third zone. A second embodiment of the invention differs from the first embodiment in that metal oxide is transported through the vessel from the first zone to the third zone and metal bromide is recycled from the third zone to the first zone.

Abstract: In a method of converting alkanes to their corresponding alcohols, ethers, olefins, and other hydrocarbons, a vessel comprises a hollow, unsegregated interior defined first, second, and third zones. In a first embodiment of the invention oxygen reacts with metal halide in the first zone to provide gaseous halide; halide reacts with the alkane in the second zone to form alkyl halide; and the alkyl halide reacts with metal oxide in the third zone to form a hydrocarbon corresponding to the original alkane. Metal halide from the third zone is transported through the vessel to the first zone and metal oxide from the first zone is recycled to the third zone. A second embodiment of the invention differs from the first embodiment in that metal oxide is transported through the vessel from the first zone to the third zone and metal halide is recycled from the third zone to the first zone.

Abstract: A reactant selected from the group consisting of alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, dienes, and aromatics is reacted with a halide selected from the group including chlorine, bromine, and iodine to form a first reaction product. The first reaction product is reacted with a solid oxidizer to form a product selected from the group including olefins, alcohols, ethers, and aldehydes, and spent oxidizer. The spent oxidizer is oxidized to form the original solid oxidizer and the second reactant which are recycled.

Abstract: Alcohols, ethers, aldehydes, and olefins are manufactured from alkanes by mixing an alkane and a halogen selected from the group including chlorine, bromine, and iodine in a reactor to form alkyl halide and hydrogen halide. The alkyl halide only or the alkyl halide and the hydrogen halide are directed into contact with metal oxide to form an alcohol and/or an ether, or an olefin and metal halide. The metal halide is oxidized to form original metal oxide and halogen, both of which are recycled.

Abstract: Gas phase hydrocarbons resulting from the operation of offshore petroleum wells are converted into corresponding liquid products which are mixed with liquid phased hydrocarbons resulting from operation of the offshore petroleum well for delivery therewith.

Abstract: Alcohols, ethers, aldehydes, and olefins are manufactured from alkanes by mixing an alkane and a halogen selected from the group including chlorine, bromine, and iodine in a reactor to form alkyl halide and hydrogen halide. The alkyl halide only or the alkyl halide and the hydrogen halide are directed into contact with metal oxide to form an alcohol and/or an ether, or an olefin and metal halide. The metal halide is oxidized to form original metal oxide and halogen, both of which are recycled.