University of Michigan Engineers Develop Game-Changing Technology for Oil-Derived Products. Revolutionary Chemical Reactor Could Cut Costs for Plastics Manufacturing from Natural Gas. . Credit: scitechdaily.com

University of Michigan engineers have developed a revolutionary chemical reactor that could significantly reduce the cost of manufacturing important ingredients for plastics, adhesives, and other household products from natural gas.

This breakthrough technology has the potential to save millions of dollars in a post-petroleum economy.

Currently, propylene, a crucial chemical used in the production of various industrial products, is primarily sourced from oil refineries as a byproduct of gasoline production.

However, as the world shifts towards cleaner energy sources such as natural gas, solar, and wind, the demand for propylene and other oil-derived products is expected to surpass the available supply.

To address this issue, the research team focused on finding alternative ways to produce propylene from natural gas, particularly from the abundant propane found in shale gas.

However, existing methods for converting propane to propylene are inefficient and require high temperatures, leading to the formation of unwanted byproducts that clog the reactor and require frequent maintenance.

The new reactor system developed by the researchers solves this problem by utilizing a nested, hollow-fiber membrane tubing.

This innovative design allows for the separation of propylene and hydrogen gas, with the latter being burned in a controlled manner to heat the reactor and accelerate the reactions without producing any undesirable compounds.

This separation process not only increases the efficiency of propylene production, but it also reduces the need for extra heaters in the plant.

The researchers estimate that a plant producing 500,000 metric tons of propylene annually could save up to $23.5 million by utilizing this technology.

The impact of this new reactor could be significant in a post-petroleum economy, where the demand for propylene and other oil-derived products will continue to rise.

With this breakthrough technology, natural gas could become a viable and cost-effective alternative to crude oil for producing crucial industrial chemicals.

Steven Russell
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