Small-Scale Fischer-Tropsch Gas-to-Liquids Facilities

2016 ◽  
pp. 379-402 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arno de Klerk
Keyword(s):  
Small Scale ◽  
Fischer Tropsch ◽  
Gas To Liquids

scholarly journals Gas to Liquids Techno-Economics of Associated Natural Gas, Bio Gas, and Landfill Gas

Processes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 1568
Author(s):  
Federico Galli ◽  
Jun-Jie Lai ◽  
Jacopo De Tommaso ◽  
Gianluca Pauletto ◽  
Gregory S. Patience
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Net Present Value ◽  
Landfill Gas ◽  
Labor Cost ◽  
Variable Cost ◽  
Selling Price ◽  
Present Value ◽  
Fischer Tropsch ◽  
Gas To Liquids ◽  
The Impact

Methane is the second highest contributor to the greenhouse effect. Its global warming potential is 37 times that of CO2. Flaring-associated natural gas from remote oil reservoirs is currently the only economical alternative. Gas-to-liquid (GtL) technologies first convert natural gas into syngas, then it into liquids such as methanol, Fischer–Tropsch fuels or dimethyl ether. However, studies on the influence of feedstock composition are sparse, which also poses technical design challenges. Here, we examine the techno-economic analysis of a micro-refinery unit (MRU) that partially oxidizes methane-rich feedstocks and polymerizes the syngas formed via Fischer–Tropsch reaction. We consider three methane-containing waste gases: natural gas, biogas, and landfill gas. The FT fuel selling price is critical for the economy of the unit. A Monte Carlo simulation assesses the influence of the composition on the final product quantity as well as on the capital and operative expenses. The Aspen Plus simulation and Python calculate the net present value and payback time of the MRU for different price scenarios. The CO2 content in biogas and landfill gas limit the CO/H2 ratio to 1.3 and 0.9, respectively, which increases the olefins content of the final product. Compressors are the main source of capital cost while the labor cost represents 20–25% of the variable cost. An analysis of the impact of the plant dimension demonstrated that the higher number represents a favorable business model for this unit. A minimal production of 7,300,000 kg y−1 is required for MRU to have a positive net present value after 10 years when natural gas is the feedstock.

Pseudo-Dynamic Modeling to Evaluate a Remote Gas-to-Liquids Process

2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Glen Hay ◽  
John Nighswander
Keyword(s):  
Steady State ◽  
Dynamic Model ◽  
Dynamic Modeling ◽  
Model Development ◽  
Liquid Fuels ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Process Viability ◽  
Gas To Liquids ◽  
Steady State Simulation

A project team was given the task of evaluating various technology options for design of a small-scale gas-to-liquids (GTL) process operated remotely at or near an individual gas source. For this study, small-scale plants were considered those producing between 100 and 500 barrels per day of liquid fuels. In addition, being remote enforced limitations on utility sources available to the plant site such as water and grid power. A secondary goal was development of a dynamic model of the plant to use in operator training. To accomplish these objectives, the authors investigated the suitability of a process-simulation application. The conceptual design of the GTL unit included many different possibilities, such as front-end design, back-end design, heat integration, and recycling of materials. Complications associated with plant start-up and shutdown, utilities, process reliability, and economics were included in the decision-making process. The authors present selective results from a steady-state model and sensitivity studies. Considerations for the development of the dynamic model included both a fully rigorous dynamic model and a pseudo-dynamic steady-state-based model; results of the latter model are provided. The study concluded that an industrial steady-state simulation tool provided sufficient flexibility to complete the material and energy-balance calculations, sensitivity analyses, and pseudo-dynamic modeling. This study yielded significant insights into the importance of model assumptions and their impact on the overall process viability. The pseudo-dynamic model also provided insight for improving the process control design. During the work completed the authors determined that the object-oriented structure adopted for the model enabled an efficient, rapid model development.

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