CHEMICALS BASED

ON METHANE
Chemistry of petroleum

Arianna Jeaneth Padilla Valdez 1827429

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CHEMICALS BASED ON DIRECT REACTIONS OF
METHANE

- CARBON DISULFIDE
- HCN
- CHLOROMETHANES
- SYNTHESIS GAS
CARBON DISULFIDE
CH4(g) + 2S2(g) ----> CS2(g) + 2H2S(g) ∆H°298 = +150 KJ/mol

High temp. Required (675°C, 2 atm).

Activated alumina (or clay) is used as the catalyst.
A CS2 yield of 85–90% based on methane is anticipated.

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Uses

RAYON CORROSION
CELLOPHAN INHIBITOR 

XANTATES
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 HYDROGEN CYANIDE (HCN)
2CH4(g) + 2NH3(g) + 3O2 ----> 2HCN + 6H2O (Andrussaw process)

High temp. Required (1100°C).

A platinum-rhodium alloy is used as the catalyst.

CH4(g) + NH3(g) + 251 kJ ----> HCN + 3H2 (The Degussa process)

High temp. Required (1200°C).

A platinum aluminum-ruthenium alloy is used as the catalyst.
Yield is over 90%

CH3OH + NH3 + O2 ----> 2HCN + 3H2O

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Uses

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CHLOROMETHANES

Methane is the most difficult alkane to chlorinate. The reaction is initiated by

chlorine free radicals obtained via the application of heat (thermal: 350-370ºC,
1 atm) or light (hv).

Di, tri and tetra chloromethanes are also obtained by this free radicals
reactions. Decreasing the CH4/Cl2 ratio generally increases polysubstitution
and the chloroform and carbon tetrachloride yield.

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Uses

METHYL CHLORIDE METHYLENE CHLORIDE

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Uses

CFC’s

CHLOROFORM CARBON TETRACHLORIDE

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SYNTHESIS GAS

1
1
2
2

It is favored at high temperatures, low pressures, and a high steam to carbon ratio.
For the production of methanol, the mixture could be used directly with no
further treatment. Just adjusting the H2/(CO + CO2) ratio to 2:1.

For producing hydrogen for ammonia synthesis, further treatment steps are
needed: the required amount of nitrogen must be obtained from atmospheric
air. This is done by:
The second step after secondary reforming is removing carbon monoxide, which
poisons the catalyst used for ammonia synthesis.

SHIFT CONVERSION CO2 REMOVAL METHANATION

Exit gases are

An iron catalyst
promoted with chromium
oxide is used at a temp.
425-500ºC to enhance
oxidation.
treated by
absorption of the The reverse of steam
CO2. reforming reaction.
The byproduct CO2 Raney Ni as catalyst at
temp. 200-300ºC, 10
is mainly used with
atm.
ammonia to
The product is a gas
produce urea.
mixture of H2 and N2 for
ammonia production.
CHEMICALS BASED ON SYNTHESIS GAS

AMMONIA
Uses:
-Fertilizer field: production of urea, ammonium nitrate, phosphate and
sulfate.
-Precursor for many chemicals: nitric acid, hydrazine, acrylonitrile,
hexamethylenediamine.
-Energy source: as a clean fuel. Compared with hydrogen, anhydrous
ammonia is more manageable.
CHEMICALS BASED ON AMMONIA

UREA

NITRIC ACID

HYDRAZINE: it is obtained by oxidation of

ammonia with NaOCl or H2O2
CHEMICALS BASED ON SYNTHESIS GAS

METHANOL
Uses:
-Production of formaldehyde, MTBE,
-Methylating agent
-Olefins from methanol
-Fuel cells
CHEMICALS BASED ON METHANOL

FORMALDEHYDE

METHYL CHLORIDE

ACETIC ACID
CHEMICALS BASED ON METHANOL

MTBE

TAME

DIMETHYL CARBONATE
CHEMICALS BASED ON METHANOL

METHYLAMINES

HYDROCARBONS FROM METHANOL

OXO ALDEHYDES AND ALCOHOLS

ETHYLENE GLYCOL