STUDIES ON OXIDATIVE COUPLING OF METHANE TO ETHYLENE OVER LITHIUM-MAGNESIUM CATALYSTS

There have been carried out studies on principles of the future organization of the process of oxidative coupling of methane molecules and formation of C2 hydrocarbons. Considerably good stability of the applied lithium-magnesium catalyst has been stated. It has been also proved the possibility of the methane transformation into ethane-free ethylene by pyrolysis of formed ethane - with or without its isolation from the reaction gas mixture - as well as by transformation of methane in presence of lithium-magnesium catalyst, modified with chlorine compounds. Limited stability of the modified catalyst activity as well as efficiency of the method of its regeneration have been found out. The influence of large quantities of CO2 on the occurrence of the oxidative methane coupling has been tested and explained. Flow-sheet of the future technological process is proposed.