Natural Gas Processing from Midstream to Downstream

14 Light Alkane Aromatization: Efficient use of Natural Gas

Swarom R. Kanitkar and James J. Spivey

Cain Department of Chemical Engineering, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, USA

Chapter Menu

1. 14.1 Introduction
2. 14.2 Aromatization of Light Alkanes
3. 14.3 Future Perspective

14.1 Introduction

Energy and environment have been two major focuses of research in the twenty‐first century that are closely related. As population grows and cities expand, the demand for energy inevitably increases, as does the incentive for clean energy. Despite significant research efforts for biofuel development, and for alternative energy sources (wind, solar, hydrothermal, etc.), fossil fuels still dominate world energy demands. Coal and oil are widely used, but natural gas is generally considered to be cleaner and more efficient in many applications. The shale gas revolution has presented a unique opportunity to address these challenges by expanding the use of natural gas. The immense, previously unattainable, reserves of natural gas have already had major impacts on the energy and chemical industries and have helped countries like the United States, reduce CO₂ emissions [1].

14.1.1 Shale Gas Revolution

Advances in horizontal drilling and hydrofracking has led to an increase in shale gas production. In the United States alone, it rose from 1% to 20% from 2000 to 2010 causing a decrease in the prices of natural gas. It is this dramatic effect that is often termed the “Shale gas ...