Apparatus and methods are provided for converting methane in a feed stream to acetylene. A hydrocarbon stream is introduced into a supersonic reactor and pyrolyzed to convert at least a portion of the methane to acetylene. The reactor effluent stream may be treated to convert acetylene to another hydrocarbon process.

Apparatus and methods are provided for converting methane in a feed stream to acetylene. A hydrocarbon stream is introduced into a supersonic reactor and pyrolyzed to convert at least a portion of the methane to acetylene. The reactor effluent stream may be treated to convert acetylene to another hydrocarbon process.

A pyrolytic reactor comprising a fuel injection zone, a combustion zone adjacent to the fuel injections zone, an expansion zone adjacent to the combustion zone, a feedstock injection zone comprising a plurality of injection nozzles and disposed adjacent to the expansion zone, a mixing zone configured to mix a carrier stream and feed material and disposed adjacent to the feedstock injection zone, and a reaction zone adjacent to the mixing zone. The plurality of injection nozzles are radially distributed in a first assembly defining a first plane transverse to the feedstock injection zone and in a second assembly transverse to the feedstock injection zone.

A pyrolytic reactor comprising a fuel injection zone, a combustion zone adjacent to the fuel injections zone, an expansion zone adjacent to the combustion zone, a feedstock injection zone comprising a plurality of injection nozzles and disposed adjacent to the expansion zone, a mixing zone configured to mix a carrier stream and feed material and disposed adjacent to the feedstock injection zone, and a reaction zone adjacent to the mixing zone. The plurality of injection nozzles are radially distributed in a first assembly defining a first plane transverse to the feedstock injection zone and in a second assembly transverse to the feedstock injection zone.

A pyrolytic reactor comprising a fuel injection zone, a combustion zone adjacent to the fuel injections zone, an expansion zone adjacent to the combustion zone, a feedstock injection zone comprising a plurality of injection nozzles and disposed adjacent to the expansion zone, a mixing zone configured to mix a carrier stream and feed material and disposed adjacent to the feedstock injection zone, and a reaction zone adjacent to the mixing zone. The plurality of injection nozzles are radially distributed in a first assembly defining a first plane transverse to the feedstock injection zone and in a second assembly transverse to the feedstock injection zone.

Metal oxide catalysts comprising various dopants are provided. The catalysts are useful as heterogenous catalysts in a variety of catalytic reactions, for example, the oxidative coupling of methane to C2 hydrocarbons such as ethane and ethylene. Related methods for use and manufacture of the same are also disclosed.

Metal oxide catalysts comprising various dopants are provided. The catalysts are useful as heterogenous catalysts in a variety of catalytic reactions, for example, the oxidative coupling of methane to C2 hydrocarbons such as ethane and ethylene. Related methods for use and manufacture of the same are also disclosed.

Metal oxide catalysts comprising various dopants are provided. The catalysts are useful as heterogenous catalysts in a variety of catalytic reactions, for example, the oxidative coupling of methane to C2 hydrocarbons such as ethane and ethylene. Related methods for use and manufacture of the same are also disclosed.

The invention includes a gas processing system for transforming a hydrocarbon-containing inflow gas into outflow gas products, where the system includes a gas delivery subsystem, a plasma reaction chamber, and a microwave subsystem, with the gas delivery subsystem in fluid communication with the plasma reaction chamber, so that the gas delivery subsystem directs the hydrocarbon-containing inflow gas into the plasma reaction chamber, and the microwave subsystem directs microwave energy into the plasma reaction chamber to energize the hydrocarbon-containing inflow gas, thereby forming a plasma in the plasma reaction chamber, which plasma effects the transformation of a hydrocarbon in the hydrocarbon-containing inflow gas into the outflow gas products, which comprise acetylene and hydrogen. The invention also includes methods for the use of the gas processing system.

The invention includes a gas processing system for transforming a hydrocarbon-containing inflow gas into outflow gas products, where the system includes a gas delivery subsystem, a plasma reaction chamber, and a microwave subsystem, with the gas delivery subsystem in fluid communication with the plasma reaction chamber, so that the gas delivery subsystem directs the hydrocarbon-containing inflow gas into the plasma reaction chamber, and the microwave subsystem directs microwave energy into the plasma reaction chamber to energize the hydrocarbon-containing inflow gas, thereby forming a plasma in the plasma reaction chamber, which plasma effects the transformation of a hydrocarbon in the hydrocarbon-containing inflow gas into the outflow gas products, which comprise acetylene and hydrogen. The invention also includes methods for the use of the gas processing system.