HOW SELECTIVE OXIDATION TECHNOLOGIES CAN OPEN UP NEW OPTIONS FOR EXPLOITING ETHANE AND PROPANE FROM SHALE GAS

摘要

The availability of ethane and propane at a low cost from shale gas is having a great impact on the chemicals industry in the United States. Ethylene production capacity in the US is rapidly increasing with the addition of new steam crackers. Similarly, on-purpose propylene production by propane dehydrogenation is increasing. Apart from these well-established routes to produce ethylene and propylene, selective oxidation provides the option of a direct route to convert ethane to acetic acid and propane to acrylic acid and acrylonitrile.