PRODUCTION OF ETHYLENE AND PROPYLENE FROM ETHANE, PROPANE, AND N-BUTANE MIXED WITH STEAM IN A MICROWAVE-IRRADIATED SILICON-CARBIDE LOADED REACTOR

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

ABSTRACT We studied the production of ethylene (C2) and propylene (C3) by the decomposition of pure ethane, propane, and n-butane, mixed with steam, in a microwave-irradiated fixed bed reactor packed with silicon carbide. We found that ethylene production was maximized using ethane as the feed, with per pass yields as high as 63% at an ethane conversion level of 74%. With propane and n-butane feeds, more ethylene than propylene was produced, but the propylene amounts were significant. Combined per pass yields of C2 and C3 were 56% at a butane conversion of 99%, and 50% at a propane conversion of 93%. This microwave process appears to be a viable way of producing ethylene and propylene.