Liquid phase Fischer-Tropsch (II) demonstration in the LaPorte Alternative Fuels Development Unit. Volume 1/2, Main Report. Final report

Development of Alternative Fuels and Chemicals From Synthesis Gas

“…During October 1996, operations were carried out at the AFDU to evaluate further improvements to the slurry process for F-T synthesis. Earlier work at LaPorte, with iron catalysts in 1992 and 1994, had established proof-of-concept status for the slurry phase process (3,4). The first campaign in 1992 (F-T I) was a 19-day demonstration of the technology at 1 TPD product scale and addressed scale-up issues such as catalyst activation, catalyst performance and hydrodynamics.…”

“…The methanol synthesis catalyst catalyses Reactions (1) and (2), and the dehydration catalyst catalyzes Reaction (3). Both catalysts are micron-sized powders suspended in a slurry fluid (e.g., hydrocarbon oil).…”

“…Based on vendor information, sizes of equipment, direct capital cost and operating cost for six syngases and six removal systems were prepared. Three systems of the initial six were considered to be promising: 5 and Ni(CO) 4 . Two vessels (one operating and one in hot standby mode) were recommended to achieve a 1-2 month bed life in this service.…”

“…Nucon International specified three activated carbon adsorbents for removal of all trace contaminants with the exception of COS, which had to be converted to H 2 S before it could be adsorbed: A-3, impregnated with a proprietary material to remove HCl, HCN, AsH 3 , PH 3 , and H 2 Se; FC-3, impregnated with metal oxides to remove H 2 S; and GC60-3, an unimpregnated material to remove Fe(CO) 5 and Ni(CO) 4 . Including the separate COS hydrolysis unit, a total of three beds (one vessel on standby) were recommended to achieve a bed life of 1 month.…”

“…Twelve of the U-tubes are near the wall and ten are near the center. Detailed drawings of the heat exchanger were included in the Fischer-Tropsch II topical report (Bhatt, 1995). The external surface area of the U-tubes is 217.7 ft 2 based on a 36-ft length.…”