Method for Conversion of Hydrocarbons

Abstract

The invention provides a method for the conversion into carbon of gaseous hydrocarbons extracted from a natural hydrocarbon reservoir, which method comprises contacting said gaseous hydrocarbon at an elevated temperature in a reactor with a catalyst capable of converting said hydrocarbon to carbon and hydrogen; burning hydrogen produced by the conversion of the hydrocarbon, optionally after separating hydrogen produced from unconverted hydrocarbon, burning said hydrogen to generate energy; and using the energy generated to heat said reactor or the gaseous hydrocarbon flow thereto, or to heat or power a heat or power consuming apparatus.

1 . A method for the conversion into carbon of gaseous hydrocarbons extracted from a natural hydrocarbon reservoir, which method comprises contacting said gaseous hydrocarbon at an elevated temperature in a reactor with a catalyst capable of converting said hydrocarbon to carbon and hydrogen; separating hydrogen produced from unconverted hydrocarbon; burning said hydrogen to generate energy; and using the energy generated to heat said reactor or the gaseous hydrocarbon flow thereto, or to heat or power a heat or power consuming apparatus.  
     
     
         2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the energy generated is used to heat said reactor or the gaseous hydrocarbon flow thereto.  
     
     
         3 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the energy generated is used to power an electricity generator.  
     
     
         4 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said catalyst is particulate.  
     
     
         5 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said catalyst is a Raney metal.  
     
     
         6 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said catalyst comprises an element selected from Ni, Co and Fe.  
     
     
         7 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said catalyst is particulate with a mode particle size of 1 to 300 μm.  
     
     
         8 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein hydrogen is burned in an internal combustion engine.  
     
     
         9 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the hydrogen is separated from the unconverted hydrocarbon using a hydrogen-permeable membrane.  
     
     
         10 . An apparatus for the conversion of hydrocarbon gas to carbon, said apparatus comprising a reactor vessel ( 2 ) having a gas inlet port ( 18 ) and a gas outlet port ( 19 ); 
 a separator ( 4 ) for removing hydrogen from a hydrocarbon and hydrogen containing gas;    a gas conduit ( 3 ) from said gas outlet port to said separator;    a combustor ( 9 ) arranged to burn hydrogen from said separator to generate energy; and    an energy transferrer ( 11 ) arranged to transfer energy from said combustor to said reactor vessel or to a further heat or power consuming apparatus ( 20 ).    
     
     
         11 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 9  further comprising an electricity generator ( 20 ) powered by energy from said combustor.  
     
     
         12 . A process for the preparation of fibrous carbon which comprises contacting a metallic catalyst with a carbon-containing gas at elevated temperature, characterized in that said catalyst is sponge iron.