Novel Syngas Production Techniques for GTL-FT Synthesis of Gasoline Using Reverse Flow Catalytic Membrane Reactors

Abstract

Syngas production plays a key role in gas-to-liquid (GTL) technology. In this feasibility study, existing and new syngas production techniques are compared. As the conventional autothermal reforming reactors (ATR) always consist of extensive heat exchange equipment and air separation units, alternatives are based on integrating these within the reactor design. Reverse flow catalytic membrane reactors (RFCMR) make it possible to perform heat integration within the reactor; integrated air separation is accomplished by incorporating O2 selective membranes. The alternatives show a higher economic potential than the conventional technique. The use of an O2 selective membrane still experiences reliability problems and was therefore not considered. The second part of the study consists of an extended conceptual design of both the conventional design as well as the reactor with integrated heat transfer. The design involved a GTL plant producing 100 000 bbl/day of gasoline. The feasibility of the reversed flow cat...