Various routes to methane utilization—SAPO-34 catalysis offers the best option

At the time when demand for energy is rapidly increasing, the reserves of crude oil are rapidly declining. At the same time an increasing number of new natural gas reserves have been discovered, however, most of them are far away from industrial users and population centers. Because of these large reserves in remote locations, gas transport to user locations is more difficult and expensive. It is more advantageous to convert the natural gas to the useful products and transport the end product to users. Technologies for the production of a number of products from natural gas, via synthesis gas, have been well established. However, production of synthesis gas requires a very large investment and is less energy efficient. With recent sustained oil price above $80/barrel for the crude oil, increasing focus is being given to direct conversion of methane as well as to the conversion of methane to petrochemicals. This paper examines various options of methane conversion.