Described are methods for converting methane to olefins, aromatics, or a combination thereof using a single atom catalyst comprising CeO.sub.2 nanoparticles impregnated with individual atoms of noble metals including Pt, Pd, Rh, Ru, Ag, Au, Ir, or a combination thereof. These single atom catalysts of the present invention are heated with methane to form olefins and aromatics.

Described are methods for converting methane to olefins, aromatics, or a combination thereof using a single atom catalyst comprising CeO.sub.2 nanoparticles impregnated with individual atoms of noble metals including Pt, Pd, Rh, Ru, Ag, Au, Ir, or a combination thereof. These single atom catalysts of the present invention are heated with methane to form olefins and aromatics.

A method of removing CO from a mixture of CO and saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons CO to CO.sub.2 is provided. In one embodiment, the method is to contact feed stream with an oxygen transfer agent; and then oxidize at least a portion of the CO to CO.sub.2 to produce a stream enriched in CO.sub.2. The saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons in the feed are not further oxidized during the oxidation. The oxygen transfer agent includes at least one of: i) water; ii) at least one reducible metal oxide; iii) at least one reducible chalcogen; or mixtures thereof. In another embodiment, the CO is converted to methane. The unsaturated hydrocarbons in the feed are not hydrogenated. In both of these alternatives, the CO.sub.2 or methane are then removed. Systems for removing the CO are also provided.

A method of removing CO from a mixture of CO and saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons CO to CO.sub.2 is provided. In one embodiment, the method is to contact feed stream with an oxygen transfer agent; and then oxidize at least a portion of the CO to CO.sub.2 to produce a stream enriched in CO.sub.2. The saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons in the feed are not further oxidized during the oxidation. The oxygen transfer agent includes at least one of: i) water; ii) at least one reducible metal oxide; iii) at least one reducible chalcogen; or mixtures thereof. In another embodiment, the CO is converted to methane. The unsaturated hydrocarbons in the feed are not hydrogenated. In both of these alternatives, the CO.sub.2 or methane are then removed. Systems for removing the CO are also provided.

The disclosure provides for a process for a non-catalytic oxidative coupling of methane reaction remarkable in that the process comprises a step of providing a counter-current shell-tube reactor comprising at least two tubes defining a tubular part and a shell part surrounding the tubular part and at least one inlet to feed a gaseous feed stream and at least one outlet to discharge a product stream; a step of providing a gaseous feed stream comprising a gas mixture of methane and oxygen in a defined molar ratio and preheated to a defined operating inlet temperature; a step of feeding the gaseous feed stream at least in the tubular part of the counter-current shell-tube reactor and a step of recovering a product stream.

The disclosure provides for a process for a non-catalytic oxidative coupling of methane reaction remarkable in that the process comprises a step of providing a counter-current shell-tube reactor comprising at least two tubes defining a tubular part and a shell part surrounding the tubular part and at least one inlet to feed a gaseous feed stream and at least one outlet to discharge a product stream; a step of providing a gaseous feed stream comprising a gas mixture of methane and oxygen in a defined molar ratio and preheated to a defined operating inlet temperature; a step of feeding the gaseous feed stream at least in the tubular part of the counter-current shell-tube reactor and a step of recovering a product stream.

The disclosure provides for a process for a non-catalytic oxidative coupling of methane reaction remarkable in that the process comprises a step of providing a counter-current shell-tube reactor comprising at least two tubes defining a tubular part and a shell part surrounding the tubular part and at least one inlet to feed a gaseous feed stream and at least one outlet to discharge a product stream; a step of providing a gaseous feed stream comprising a gas mixture of methane and oxygen in a defined molar ratio and preheated to a defined operating inlet temperature; a step of feeding the gaseous feed stream at least in the tubular part of the counter-current shell-tube reactor and a step of recovering a product stream.

Provided are a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma reactor including dielectric particles in a packed-bed in a discharge zone, e.g., a DBD plasma reactor for non-oxidative coupling of methane in which an average gap distance between dielectric particles in the packed-bed is adjusted to improve methane conversion and/or product selectivity; a method of regenerating dielectric particles including removing coke, which sis produced by side reactions, from the dielectric particles deactivated by the coke by using a low temperature plasma in an oxidizing atmosphere in the reactor; a method of manufacturing C.sub.2+ hydrocarbons, the method including converting methane into C.sub.2+ hydrocarbons including ethylene and/or ethane by non-oxidative coupling of methane in the reactor; and a method of manufacturing hydrogen, the method including generating hydrogen from methane by non-oxidative coupling of methane in the reactor.

Provided are a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma reactor including dielectric particles in a packed-bed in a discharge zone, e.g., a DBD plasma reactor for non-oxidative coupling of methane in which an average gap distance between dielectric particles in the packed-bed is adjusted to improve methane conversion and/or product selectivity; a method of regenerating dielectric particles including removing coke, which sis produced by side reactions, from the dielectric particles deactivated by the coke by using a low temperature plasma in an oxidizing atmosphere in the reactor; a method of manufacturing C.sub.2+ hydrocarbons, the method including converting methane into C.sub.2+ hydrocarbons including ethylene and/or ethane by non-oxidative coupling of methane in the reactor; and a method of manufacturing hydrogen, the method including generating hydrogen from methane by non-oxidative coupling of methane in the reactor.

Disclosed is a method for the producingtiona target compoundby oxidative coupling of methane. A starting gas mixture is provided which contains an olefin, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and optionally hydrogen, wherein the olefin is subjected to hydroformylation with the carbon monoxide and the hydrogen of the starting mixture to obtain an aldehyde, wherein the paraffin and the olefin have a carbon chain with a first carbon number and the aldehyde has a carbon chain with a second carbon number which is greater by one than the first carbon number. The carbon dioxide present in the starting mixture is removed upstream and/or downstream of the hydroformylation. The carbon dioxide is subjected to dry reforming with methane to obtain carbon monoxide, and that the carbon monoxide subjected to hydroformylation comprises at least part of the carbon monoxide obtained in the dry reforming .