The British Petroleum Company, P.l.c.

Mark J Howard

Trevor A Lomas

David Charles Griffiths

Josephus J Font Freide

Ian A Reid

Christopher J Astbury

Joseph J Font Freide

A process for the production of mono-olefins from a paraffin-containing hydrocarbon feed having at least two carbon atoms which comprises a first step of partially combusting a mixture of the hydrocarbon feed and a molecular oxygen-containing gas in contact with a catalyst capable of supporting combustion beyond the normal fuel rich limit of flammability, the first step being carried out under a total pressure of greater than 5 bar absolute and at a temperature of greater than 650.degree. C.; and a second step of cooling the mono-olefinic products to 600.degree. C. or less within less than 50 milliseconds of formation.

Process for the production of mono-olefins

Process for the production of a mono-olefin from a gaseous paraffinic hydrocarbon having at least two carbon atoms or a mixture thereof. The process includes the step of partially combusting, in contact with a combustion catalyst, the gaseous paraffinic hydrocarbon or a mixture of the gaseous paraffinic hydrocarbons and a molecular oxygen-containing gas in a composition of from 5 to 9 times the stoichiometric ratio of hydrocarbon to oxygen for complete combustion of carbon dioxide and water. In the process, the mixture is partially combusted at a temperature in the range of 500.degree. to 1200.degree. C. and at a gas hourly space velocity of at least 80,000 hr.sup.-1.

A C.sub.2 and higher hydrocarbon product including ethylene is produced from a methane-containing gaseous paraffinic hydrocarbon feedstock by a process comprising heating the feedstock admixed with oxygen in an amount of at least 5% mol under elevated pressure in a pre-heating zone to a temperature sufficient to cause spontaneous reaction, the pre-heating and mixing being effected in a manner such that (i) substantial oxygen consumption is avoided, and (ii) a 'flash-back' of the reaction to form a diffusion flame at the point of gaseous mixing is prevented, and thereafter in a reaction zone allowing the feedstock mixture to spontaneously react.

Homogeneous partial oxidation of a methane-containing paraffinic

A process for preparing mono-olefins by catalytic oxidative dehydrogenation of e.g. ethane, propane or butanes is provided. The process employs a catalyst which is capable of supporting combustion beyond the normal fuel rich limit of flammability. Preferred catalysts are platinum group metals supported on a monolith e.g. platinum.

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Twickenham, United Kingdom

Mark J Howard