A new technology for producing synthetic liquid hydrocarbons from gaseous hydrocarbons

Abstract

Conventional technologies of synthetic liquid fuels (SLF) production from gaseous hydrocarbons by producing synthesis gas and synthesizing synthetic liquid hydrocarbons are examined. A high-efficiency SLF production technology that allows creation of high-efficiency autonomous units of specific capacities, including small ones, eliminates use of oxygen for producing synthesis gas and reduces energy consumption by thorough utilization of the heat of process and energy flows, including low-potential, is described. In this technology, the hydrocarbon feedstock conversion processes and synthesis of liquid hydrocarbons are carried out with highly effective fine-grained catalysts under optimal temperature conditions in compact reactors of a new design.Efficient conversion of gaseous hydrocarbon feedstock right at the gas recovery sites to synthetic liquid fuels (SLF) holds wide prospects in solving many problems of energy security of regions. This will allow production of high-quality SLF that can be transported by conventional means (by tankers, containers, pipelines, etc.). In contrast to hydrocarbon gases, SLF can be stored and marketed by using the existing developed infrastructure [1].Russia possesses enormous reserves of natural (NG) and associated petroleum gases (APG) and is a major supplier of energy resources to the countries of Western Europe.The largest oil and gas companies of the world have been working vigorously to develop and implement projects based on GTL (gas-to-liquid) technology in regions with substantial NG reserves [2].Efficient conversion of NG to SLF may introduce corrections to the necessity of implementation of some costly projects. In that case:1) there will be no need for constructing multi-kilometer trunk pipelines with compressor stations and their costly operation;2) there will be no need for transit countries for NG transportation; 3) the seasonal NG supply factor will be solved; 4) there will be no need for building costly NG liquefying plants, special liquefied NG storing and dispatching terminals, special vessels for its transportation, receiving terminals with regasification plants, etc.; 5) the APG will be put into commercial production instead of burning in flares; and 6) noxious vehicular emissions will be reduced, which is of especial importance for solving environmental problems of large cities, and so on.