Process for converting methane into higher hydrocarbon products by means of contact between a methane-containing gas and a reducible metal oxide

摘要

A method for synthesizing hydrocarbons from a methane source which comprises contacting methane with a reducible oxide of Pr, Tb, Ce, Fe or Ru. The oxide is preferably combined with an amount of alkali and/or alkaline earth metal which is sufficient to improve the selectivity to higher hydrocarbon products. The oxide is reduced by the contact which is carried at about 500 to 1000oC. Reducible oxides are regenerated by oxidizing the reduced composition with molecular oxygen.