Continuous process for the oxidative coupling of methane to c.sub.2 hydrocarbons in the presence of catalysts

Abstract From the Canadian patent

A continuous process for the catalytic oxidative coupling in the presence of oxygen or an oxygen containing gas to CnHm hydrocarbons (n ? 2, m = 2n or 2n + 2) at temperatures between 500 and 900°C, with partial pressures of methane above 0.5 bar and a ratio of the partial pressures of methane and oxygen between 1 and 20 is described. This process uses oxides, peroxides, hyperoxides hydroxides, carbonates, sulfates, phosphates and silicates of the elements belonging to the 1. 2. and 4. main group of the periodic system as catalysts with and without a support material.