Abstract: A process for producing light alkanes and creating a flexible distribution system for those alkanes and related systems are disclosed. The process can include supplying a butane feed stream to a butane conversion unit to produce a light alkane output stream including at least methane, ethane, propane, and hydrogen, separating at least part of the light alkane output stream into separate streams of methane, ethane, and propane and distributing the separated streams as desired. The distribution of the separated streams can include sending the separated ethane and propane streams to downstream processing units which use them as feedstock. The butane containing feed and/or unreacted butane feed can include isobutane, which can be converted to n-butane and then further processed.

Abstract: A process for producing light alkanes and creating a flexible distribution system for those alkanes and related systems are disclosed. The process can include supplying a butane feed stream to a butane conversion unit to produce a light alkane output stream including at least methane, ethane, propane, and hydrogen, separating at least part of the light alkane output stream into separate streams of methane, ethane, and propane and distributing the separated streams as desired. The distribution of the separated streams can include sending the separated ethane and propane streams to downstream processing units which use them as feedstock. The butane containing feed and/or unreacted butane feed can include isobutane, which can be converted to n-butane and then further processed.

Abstract: A device for mixing two gas streams, the device includes: an inner pipe, wherein: the inner pipe is arranged substantially concentrically within an outer pipe and forms an annulus between an outer diameter of the inner pipe and an inner diameter of the outside pipe; the inner pipe is closed at a downstream end; and the inner pipe comprises a plurality of perforations; and the outer pipe, wherein: a downstream end of the outer pipe extends into a reactor; the outer pipe is closed at the downstream end; and the downstream end of the outer pipe comprises a plurality of perforations. The mixed gas stream can enter the reactor. The reactor can be an Oxidative Coupling of Methane (OCM) reactor.

Abstract: A device for mixing two gas streams, the device includes: an inner pipe, wherein: the inner pipe is arranged substantially concentrically within an outer pipe and forms an annulus between an outer diameter of the inner pipe and an inner diameter of the outside pipe; the inner pipe is closed at a downstream end; and the inner pipe comprises a plurality of perforations; and the outer pipe, wherein: a downstream end of the outer pipe extends into a reactor; the outer pipe is closed at the downstream end; and the downstream end of the outer pipe comprises a plurality of perforations. The mixed gas stream can enter the reactor. The reactor can be an Oxidative Coupling of Methane (OCM) reactor.

Abstract: A methane conversion process for producing C2+ hydrocarbons comprising (a) introducing a reactant mixture comprising methane (>20 mol %) and an inert compound to a reaction unit to produce a reactor effluent stream comprising C2+ hydrocarbons, methane, the inert compound, and water and/or carbon dioxide; (b) removing at least a portion of the water and/or at least a portion of the carbon dioxide from the reactor effluent stream to produce a demethanizer feed stream; (c) feeding at least a portion of the demethanizer feed stream to a demethanizer unit to produce two or more vapor streams (methane rich stream and inert rich stream), and at least one liquid stream (C2+ hydrocarbons); (d) withdrawing at least a portion of the inert rich stream as a purge stream; (e) recycling any remaining portion of the inert rich stream to the reaction unit; and (f) recycling the methane rich stream to the reaction unit.

Abstract: A methane conversion process for producing C2+ hydrocarbons comprising (a) introducing a reactant mixture comprising methane (>20 mol %) and an inert compound to a reaction unit to produce a reactor effluent stream comprising C2+ hydrocarbons, methane, the inert compound, and water and/or carbon dioxide; (b) removing at least a portion of the water and/or at least a portion of the carbon dioxide from the reactor effluent stream to produce a demethanizer feed stream; (c) feeding at least a portion of the demethanizer feed stream to a demethanizer unit to produce two or more vapor streams (methane rich stream and inert rich stream), and at least one liquid stream (C2+ hydrocarbons); (d) withdrawing at least a portion of the inert rich stream as a purge stream; (e) recycling any remaining portion of the inert rich stream to the reaction unit; and (f) recycling the methane rich stream to the reaction unit.