Enhancing the reaction rate in high temperature, high space velocity catalytic conversion of methane to higher molecular weight hydrocarbons

摘要

In a continuous catalytic process for the production of higher molecular weight hydrocarbons from methane in which a reaction gas containing methane is contacted in a reaction zone with a higher molecular weight hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst under C.sub.2 + hydrocarbon synthesis conditions, the improvement comprising adding a C. sub.2 to C.sub.4 hydrocarbon to the reaction gas such that said C.sub.2 to C.sub.4 hydrocarbon comprises 0.1 to 10 volume percent of the reaction gas, said reaction conditions including a temperature greater than 1000. degree. C. and a gas hourly space velocity of greater than 3200 hr.sup.-1.