Methyl chloride via oxyhydrochlorination of methane: a building block for chemicals and fuels from natural gas. Second semiannual report, 1996

摘要

The objectives of this cooperative agreement are to develop the oxyhydrochlorination (OHC) process for the conversion of methane to methyl chloride. In the first Phase of the project, Dow Corning has developed a stable selective catalyst and demonstrated the technology on a laboratory and process development scale. The current effort builds on earlier learning to pilot the technology on an engineering scale, integrated operation, and to obtain design, scale-up, and cost data for a commercial-scale process economic evaluation. Task 1, which is to complete a fundamental technical and economic evaluation of the current state of learning on the OHC process, is essentially complete. OHC equipment has been sized and costed and utilities costs have been developed for a commercial scale unit. These costs have been compared to known costs for Dow Coming's conventional methyl chloride process technology. The OHC development demonstrated that the process is technically feasible but the capital and utilities operating costs are too high to make the technology economically attractive at demonstrated performance and market conditions. Sensitivity analysis of the capital, utilities and market conditions do not encourage further effort to optimize the OHC technology at this time. An alternative processing scheme with the same overall chemistry as OHC is being considered since it appears to have an improved chance for commercial success. This alternative is documented separately. A decision on how to proceed with the project will be made after completion of this Task.