INL Fossil Energy Technologies has demonstrated efficient thermal plasma conversions of methane to acetylene and hydrogen. The Thermal Plasma Conversion of Methane to Acetylene process can be applied to the following industrial applications:
- Direct conversion of methane to acetylene as a source of industrial gas
- Use of hydrogen, which is co-produced with the acetylene as a fuel source (e.g., for fuel cells) or potential feedstock for other processes
- Use of acetylene as a feedstock for a subsequent catalytic process to produce a transportation grade liquid fuel
- Use of acetylene as a feedstock for production of industrial chemicals.
Thermal plasma conversion test apparatus.
We are pursuing the possibility for collaborative ventures of all of these options with various potential industry partners. The Thermal Plasma Conversion of Methane to Acetylene Project supports the process development and optimization of the conversion of methane to acetylene at high yields. Successful implementation of the process of converting methane to acetylene will allow exploitation of remote natural gas resources by conversion of methane to acetylene. It is expected that the produced acetylene can then be used as an industrial gas, catalytically converted to other valuable products such as styrene, or used as a feedstock for conversion to liquid fuels.
Detail of above photograph showing torch, injector, reactor, and nozzle assembly. Flow is right to left.
This project is funded by the National Energy Technology Laboratory of the DOE Fossil Energy Program as part of the Emerging Processing Technology Applications, gas-to-liquids product line.
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