Redox process advantages/disadvantages

The process can be operated in two modes co-fed and redox. The co-fed mode employs addition of O2 to the methane/natural gas feed and subsequent conversion over a metal oxide catalyst. The redox mode requires the oxidant to be from the lattice oxygen of a reducible metal oxide in the reactor bed. After methane oxidation has consumed nearly all the lattice oxygen, the reduced metal oxide is reoxidized using an air stream. Both methods have processing advantages and disadvantages. In all cases, however, the process is mn to maximize production of the more desired ethylene product. 

The redox process takes place at relatively high temperatures which implies thermal integration of process steps in order to minimise losses. The advantages and disadvantages of fixed bed or fluidised bed operation of the oxide will have to be evaluated. 

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