Oxidative coupling of hydrocarbons as heat source
A process for the coupling of hydrocarbons and utilizing the heat energy produced by the reaction is disclosed. In one embodiment the process can include reacting methane with oxygen to form a product stream containing ethane and further processing the ethane to ethylene in an existing ethylene production facility while using the heat energy produced by the reaction within the facility.
1. A process comprising:
an oxidative coupling reaction of hydrocarbons, wherein the oxidative coupling reaction includes the reaction of methane and toluene, isobutylene, t-butyltoluene, or trimethylbenzene;
wherein the oxidative coupling reaction is exothermic and generates heat energy;
wherein at least a portion of the heat energy produced by the oxidative coupling reaction is recovered as steam which is then utilized in an ethylene production facility;
wherein the steam produced by the oxidative coupling reaction is sufficient to supply enough energy to supply all of the steam needs for the ethylene production facility.