Gas to Liquids: Beyond Fischer Tropsch

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip E. Lewis
Keyword(s):  
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.

scholarly journals Biodegradation of gas-to-liquids synthetic diesel, biodiesel and their blends

2015 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Randal M.C. Albertus ◽  
Adriaan J. Reinecke
Keyword(s):  
Hydrocarbon Contamination ◽  
Synthesis Process ◽  
Attractive Alternative ◽  
Synthetic Fuels ◽  
Transportation Fuel ◽  
Fischer Tropsch ◽  
Biodiesel Blends ◽  
Gas To Liquids ◽  
Petroleum Fuels ◽  
Synthetic Diesel

Sustainable renewable alternatives to petroleum fuels are being investigated because of the growing demand for transportation fuel. Synthetic fuels like diesel are produced from natural gas and coal feed stocks, via the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process. Biodiesel can be an attractive alternative to petroleum-derived diesel because its physical properties are similar to those of petrodiesel and it can be transported by and stored in existing infrastructure. The biodegradability of synthetic diesel and biodiesel blends were determined, using respirometry to establish whether the biodiesel could enhance the biodegradability of the blends when compared to the synthetic petroleum diesel. In addition, a model was developed to estimate the biodegradability of the diesel and diesel/biodiesel blends using the molecular composition of the fuels and a prediction software program. The addition of biodiesel to synthetic diesel enhanced the biodegradability of the blends. Less than 1% biodiesel addition improved the degradability classification from inherently biodegradable to readily biodegradable. The addition of biodiesel to petroleumderived diesel could promote the use of renewable alternatives because the blends have superior biodegradability compared to petroleum diesel. The benefit of using biodiesel to enhance the remediation of hydrocarbon contamination was also confirmed.

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