Optimization and Selection of Reforming Approaches for Syngas Generation from Natural/Shale Gas

Abstract

Reforming of natural or shale gas is the primary industrial method for the production of syngas. There are four major approaches to reforming: steam reforming, partial oxidation, dry reforming, and combinations of these reforming reactions. The selection of the reforming approach is not a straightforward task. It is highly dependent on process objectives and availability of material and energy resources. Furthermore, the reformer selection has a significant impact on: process yield, energy requirement, CO 2 emissions, and wastewater generation. It also has operational implications including: catalyst life, process safety, and control. The purpose of this work is to develop a systematic tool to aid in the modeling and selection of appropriate reformers to achieve an objective. This can include particular process or economic objectives and constraints such as H 2 :CO ratio. An equilibrium model is developed and solved using optimization software (LINGO). Economic, energy, and environmental constraints are included in the optimization formulation. Top-level economic scenarios were investigated including the inclusion of carbon tax, natural gas, and energy price fluctuations. The work is also extended to shale gas reforming and shows that the composition of the shale gas has a significant impact on potential yields. Given the potential variability in shale gas composition, the optimization model is also used in selecting a gas reservoir (feedstock) for specific objectives and constraints of the reforming process. The inclusion of strict energy and environmental constraints can favor some reforming options over others.

A Process Integration Approach to the Assessment of CO2 Fixation through Dry Reforming

“…15 Nonetheless, DR faces a variety of processing and technical challenges that have hindered its commercial application. 16 From an economic perspective, DR needs a concentrated source of CO 2 to supply the necessary quantities of CO 2 to justify the capital investment of the reforming system. Catalyst deactivation due to solid carbon deposition is also a major issue that has garnered attention.…”

Simulation-Optimization Framework for Synthesis and Design of Natural Gas Downstream Utilization Networks

“…On the other hand, from the environmental perspective, CR has the lowest carbon footprint. Noureldin et al [19] found that CR (including tri-reforming) improves the energy usage, safety, and flexibility aspects in the optimal selection of natural or shale gas reforming technology among the options they considered (SMR, POX, DR, and CR).…”

Sustainability assessment of combined steam and dry reforming versus tri‐reforming of methane for syngas production

“…There are six reforming routes available for the production of syngas from NG in which steam reforming (SR) of methane (SRM), dry reforming (DR) of methane (DRM), and partial oxidation (PO) are the basic routes with different oxidizing agent [water, carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), oxygen] and operating temperatures. More recently, the combination of two or more of SR, DR, and PO raised vast research interests because they have the potential to take advantage of the benefits while reducing drawbacks associated with each of the three basic routes . For example, since syngas from SR has relatively high H 2 :CO ratio (3:1–5:1) while that from DR is much lower (1:1), the blending of the syngas product from SR and DR, which has been used in the industry for decades, would produce the syngas with H 2 :CO ratio suitable for F‐T synthesis.…”