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Examining the potential of Gas to Liquids
Masterclass Outline
1. The Need and the Problem
The supply of energy to the major markets of the world is at a critical crossroad. The indigenous gas supplies in Europe and the USA are failing to keep up with demand and there is increasing emphasis on imports. At the same time there is an international move to clean fuels, in particular low sulfur
gasoline and diesel.
This session will address the issues of:
• Drivers for clean fuels
• Gas supply
• Crude oil supply
• Coal availability
• Problems with conventional approaches
2. Chemical Intermediates
All GTL technologies require the conversion of gas into an intermediate comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide known as synthesis gas. From synthesis gas there is a variety of approaches to the production of liquids or hydrogen. The production of synthesis gas is capital and energy intensive and there are several alternative approaches. After production the synthesis gas has to be tailored for the particulars of the downstream process and there are several alternatives. For
CTL synthesis gas can also be the key intermediate. But solvent extraction can greatly reduce the requirement.
This session will cover:
• Steam reforming
• Partial oxidation
• New Generation reformers
• Coal gasification
• Production economics
• Goal gasification route versus coal hydrogenation
3. GTL – The Fischer-Tropsch Process
The Fischer-Tropsch Process produces extremely clean fuels, especially diesel fuel. The process has been under development for 80 years but there are few commercial plants. Although the process is simple, the detail of maximising yield and product quality makes the process complex and costly.
This session will overview the status and process economics for this GTL route, identifying the principal issues of concern.
• FT prior to 1980
• Approach to maximising diesel
• Modern commercial plants – Sasol, MossGas, Shell, Qatar
• Next generation plants
• Product quality
• Process economics
4. Methanol and Derivatives
Synthesis gas can be converted into methanol. Methanol can be traded as a chemical or used as a clean fuel. Synthesis gas composition influences methanol synthesis productivity and issues using coal versus gas will be discussed. This session will analyze the process technology and economics for the production of methanol and methanol derivatives DME, gasoline, olefins and resins.
• Technology for production of methanol
• New technology for the production of DME
• Methanol to gasoline
• Methanol to olefins
5. LNG versus GTL
GTL competes for gas feedstock with LNG. Although produced by physical separation, the production of LNG is quite complex and costly. Storage, transport and re-gasification are also critical cost issues for LNG. This session compares the various alternatives for the production of LNG and gives estimates for production costs.
• LNG production methods
• LNG production costs
• Storage, transport and re-gasification
• Comparing LNG with GTL
6. Critical Comparisons
This session presents cases studies for the conversion of hypothetical gas reserves. The process economics for alternative approaches will be developed and critical compared – gas to methanol, GTL and LNG. Also compared will be alternatives for coal resources:
• Approach to the analysis
• Gas value for LNG
• Gas value for methanol
• Gas value for GTL (diesel)
About your workshop leader
Dr. Duncan Seddon, a consultant to the oil, gas and petrochemical industries, has been involved with then production and use of transportation fuels and commodity chemicals for over 30 years. He has a particular interest and expertise in clean fuels, the use of gas derived chemicals in the transport fuel sector and in Gas to Liquids technology and processes. He is a Fellow of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute and a Member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers.
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