Exothermic Conversion of Methane into Methanol or Other Oxygenated Derivatives

72448B03-I Natural gas resources in regions that are remote from their markets have not been economically utilized. This project will develop technology to expand the transport and marketability of the vast gas resources of the Continental United States and Alaska¿s North Slope (ANS). This gas conversion technology will be based on exothermically changing natural gas to a stable, ultra-clean-burning hydrocarbon liquid, fully compatible with modern vehicle fuels used to power our vast automobile and truck fleet. The exothermic catalytic process will be more reliable as well as thermodynamically superior to current endothermic methane functionalization practices. In Phase I, laboratory verification will be performed to validate previous simulations of the exothermic cycle. Based on these experimental confirmations, kinetic, thermodynamic, turnover rate, and other data will be used as a basis for pilot plant feasibility. Reactor sizing, materials of construction, and flow rates will be determined, and preliminary engineering will be conducted. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by awardee: The process should enable natural gas to be used as a petrochemical feedstock for organic chemical synthesis and transportation fuels. Commercialization would reduce dependence on foreign oil and minimize environmental impact. Also, produced liquids could be used directly in methanol fuel cells without expensive fuel reforming.