Primary Sources of Alkane Feedstocks
Natural Fossil Sources
The primary industrial sources are petroleum and natural gas. Fractional distillation of crude oil yields alkane fractions with varying carbon chain lengths; natural gas consists mainly of methane, accompanied by small amounts of lower alkanes such as ethane and propane. Additionally, methane accounts for 80%–99.9% of the organic components in combustible ice (gas hydrates), representing a potential future source of alkanes.
Synthetic and Other Sources
Heavy oils can be converted into small-molecule alkanes through catalytic cracking and reforming processes. Alternatively, mixtures of alkanes can be synthesized via hydrogenation using coal or carbon monoxide as raw materials under conditions of high temperature, high pressure, and catalysis. Simple alkanes, such as methane, are also produced during the metabolic processes of certain microorganisms.
