The effective usage of APG surplus for oil-gas field on the example of carbon black production technology

Abstract

Background. The present work is devoted to one of the key areas of research activity of the modern oil and gas scientific world: decarbonization and increasing the efficiency of the natural and associated gas usage. One of the eco-friendly ways of processing natural and associated gas is the production of carbon black (soot) from it. This method is also included in the list of best available technology (BAT). 
 
 Nowadays, soot is a raw material for massive scale production of rubber products, which accounts for a large share of the manufacture of tyres, besides, carbon black is a valuable component in the paint-and-varnish and petrochemical industry (inks, plastics and many other things). The aim of the project is to assess the applicability of technologies for processing the surplus of associated petroleum gas (APG) into carbon black (CB). 
 
 Materials and methods. The technology is based on the pyrolysis of hydrocarbons under the influence of high temperature with a lack of air. In the work, the following tasks were performed: CB market was studied; the analysis and choice of the optimal method for obtaining soot from APG for the N field, technological calculation, and selection of equipment and economic evaluation of the technology were performed. 
 
 Results. Calculations have shown that the use of this method of APG utilization is cost-effective. The PI of the project is more than 2. 
 
 Conclusion. The main advantages of this technology are: relatively low capital outlays, efficient gas utilization, reduction of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere, additional income from the sale of a new product in high demand. The main disadvantage of this method of gas utilization is the lack of experience and practice of oil companies in the possibilities and methods of carbon black from APG.