Process for the conversion of methane - Google Patent Search
As further follow-up to our report of Exxon's United States Patent, Number 3847567, wherein they manufacture Methane from Coal; and, to our other documentation that Methane could be converted into Gasoline, as it was on a pilot plant scale in New Zealand, we herein, via a US Patent held by Penn State University, again confirm that Methane, once manufactured via Coal gasification or Sabatier-type Carbon Dioxide recycling, can be further processed to synthesize the versatile liquid fuel; plastics manufacturing raw material; and, as in ExxonMobil's "MTG"(r) process, gasoline precursor: Methanol.
The brief excerpt:
"Patent Number: 7119226: Process for the Conversion of Methane
Date: October 10, 2006
Inventors: Ayusman Sen, Minren Lin
Assignee: The Penn State Research Foundation
Abstract: A process for the facile two-step synthesis of methanol from methane is disclosed. In accordance with the invention, an appropriate combination of initiator and reaction medium is employed to achieve methane conversion in very high selectivity and yield under near-ambient temperature."
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Note: "methane conversion", to Methanol, is achieved with "very high selectivity and yield under near-ambient temperature".
The Methanol, we presume from that statement, is nearly pure; and, since it can be made at "near-ambient temperature", we'll also presume that the energy investment for the process is minimal.
Note also that this, "Two-step", Methanol synthesis from Methane, technology is in addition to Penn State's "Tri-reforming" process, wherein Carbon Dioxide is reacted, recycled, with Methane, to synthesize higher hydrocarbons.
Once again, it seems to us that Coal Country has all the tools in hand needed to solve both the national liquid fuel shortage and the perceived problem of atmospheric CO2 accumulations. Those tools have been already carved out of Coal, and they're just waiting for some honest hands to start using them.
