Zone reactor

Details Zone reactor Zone reactor

2002-04-02

2003-02-25

Richter, Johann (Department: 1621)

Organic compounds -- part of the class 532-570 series

Organic compounds

Oxygen containing

C568S671000, C568S893000, C568S894000, C568S910000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06525230

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a zone reactor, and more particularly to a zone reactor that is useful in processes for converting alkanes to alcohols and ethers.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Allowed co-pending application Ser. No. 09/951,570 filed Sep. 11, 2001 (Attorney Docket 300100-1044) discloses a method of converting alkanes to their corresponding alcohols and ethers using bromine. The co-pending parent application comprises four embodiments of the invention therein disclosed each including a reactor wherein bromine reacts with an alkane to form alkyl bromide and hydrogen bromide, a converter wherein the alkyl bromide formed in the reactor reacts with metal oxide to form the corresponding alcohol or ether, and numerous other individual components.
The present invention comprises a zone reactor wherein the several reactions disclosed in the co-pending parent application are carried out in a single vessel. In this manner the overall complexity of the system for converting alkanes to their corresponding alcohols and ethers is substantially reduced. In addition, heat generated by reactions occurring in particular zones within the vessel can be utilized to facilitate reactions occurring in other zones.
Three embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In accordance with a first embodiment the zone reactor comprises a countercurrent system wherein gases flow in a first direction and metal compounds flow in the opposite direction. A second embodiment of the invention comprises a cocurrent arrangement wherein the gases and the metal compounds travel in the same direction. The first and second embodiments of the invention are continuous systems as opposed to the third embodiment of the invention which is a fixed-bed system that is continual in operation. In accordance with the third embodiment the metal compounds remain fixed within the vessel while the gases are directed through the vessel first in one direction and later in the opposite direction.
In the following Detailed Description the invention is described in conjunction with the conversion of methane to methanol. However, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the invention is equally applicable to the conversion of ethane and the higher alkane to their corresponding alcohols and ethers.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3172915 (1965-03-01), Borkowski et al.
patent: 3310380 (1967-03-01), Lester
patent: 5243098 (1993-09-01), Miller et al.
patent: 5334777 (1994-08-01), Miller et al.
patent: 5998679 (1999-12-01), Miller

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Zone reactor does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Zone reactor, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Zone reactor will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3172647