Methane to liquids

I am wanting to build a small methane to liquid converter. I can live
with either methanol or a liquid hydrocarbon output.  All the research I
have done indicates that I need to convert to syngas first, then to the
final product using the appropriate temperatures, pressures and
catalyst.  Steam reforming of the methane appears to be more involved
than using partial oxydation due to it being an endothermic reaction,
plus it is too enriched in H2 for using to make hydrocarbons with
Fischer-Tropsch.  Nearly pure oxygen can be obtained using a zeolite for
partial oxydation.

I have read that several companies are working on catalysts that can
convert directly to methanol or a liquid hydrocarbon skipping the syngas
step.  Do any of these companies have a commercial product available
yet?

The input stream can be desulfured if necessary by bubbling through NaOH
solution so it doesn't poison the catalyst.

All the information I can find on the final methane stage indicates that
the final product will have to be recirulated due to low conversion
efficiency.  Also every paper and book I can find seems geared towards a
$100 million plant, not a small home unit that could fit in the back of
a pickup truck.

I was wondering if there are any techniques that have been developed
that would work well for small scale.  I don't need 95%+ efficiency, I
need something that is easy to build, inexpensive, and reliable.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.  I have a good technical
library close, so even references to specific journal articles would be
a big help.

Thanks,

Marshall



-- 
Paul J. Franklin(moderator - sci.chem.organic.synthesis) 
http://organicworldwide.net/sci.chem.organic.synthesis
Georgia State University <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Atlanta, GA