CH4-to-C2 Unsaturates and H2 by Induction-Heated Graphite

The direct conversion of methane to chemicals and H2 driven by electric heating is promising due to significant advancements in low-cost wind and solar power, which surpass traditional complex and costly heat supply methods. This study presents an innovative approach for methane dehydrogenative coupling for acetylene, ethylene (C2≡/=), and H2 via an induction-heated graphite tube. The graphite tube exhibits remarkable resistance to extremely high temperatures, surpassing all metals while ensuring cost-effectiveness. Compared with existing processes, the new process demonstrates full CH4 conversion with 93.0% yield for C2≡/= and 71.6% yield for H2 in 8 ms at 2000 °C. Its specific energy intensity and specific carbon black index are notably low at 620.1 kJ/mol-C2≡/= and 0.06, respectively. The new process has a simple and compact reactor design, high electric-magnetic-thermal energy conversion efficiency, rapid in situ heating rates, and high C2≡/= and H2 concentrations in the product gas, all of which contribute to a promising sustainable method for direct production of high-value-added chemicals and H2 from CH4.