The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 10, 2001
Filed:
Jan. 07, 2000
Jeffrey H. Sherman, Dallas, TX (US);
Peter C. Ford, Santa Barbara, CA (US);
Galen D. Stucky, Goleta, CA (US);
Philip Grosso, Auburn, CA (US);
GRT, Inc., The Woodlands, TX (US);
Abstract
In a method of and apparatus for manufacturing methanol and higher alcohols from natural gas a catalytic area is formed on the exterior of a gas permeable partition. Natural gas is maintained on the interior of the gas permeable partition at predetermined pressure. Relative movement between the gas permeable partition and the water forms sub-micron sized bubbles of natural gas. Electromagnetic radiation is directed onto the catalytic surface to form hydroxyl radicals from the water. Methyl, ethyl, and propyl ions from the natural gas combine with the hydroxyl ions to form methanol, ethanol, and propanol.