Abstract: A catalytic reactor is provided comprising a plurality of first flow channels including a catalyst for a first reaction; a plurality of second flow channels arranged alternately with the first flow channels; adjacent first and second flow channels being separated by a divider plate (13a, 13b), and a distributed temperature sensor such as an optical fiber cable (19). The distributed temperature sensor may be located within the divider plate, or within one or 10 more of the flow channels.

Abstract: A plant for treating fluid products obtained from an oil well, to produce a hydrocarbon product, comprises a series of separators at progressively lower pressures, to which the fluid products are supplied in succession. A high pressure gas phase is obtained from the separator and is supplied to a flow restrictor so as to undergo cooling through the Joule Thomson effect, and then passed to a NGL separator to produce a natural gas liquid stream and a gaseous natural gas stream. The natural gas stream is then processed chemically, using a synthesis gas production unit, and a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis unit to produce a synthetic crude oil. The synthetic crude oil is supplied to one of the separators, and the natural gas liquid stream is supplied to another of the separators; the pressure in the one separator is greater than the pressure in the other separator.

Abstract: Gas-to-liquids processes for treating natural gas, including the steps of subjecting the natural gas to expansion through a flow restrictor so as to undergo cooling through the Joule Thomson effect. The processes then separate the resulting liquids from the remaining natural gas and processing the natural gas to form a synthesis gas. The synthesis gas is subjected to Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and the output from the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis is separated into a hydrocarbon product and an aqueous phase and the aqueous phase is steam stripped to extract the oxygenates which are then injected into the natural gas stream upstream of the flow restrictor.

Abstract: A plant for treating fluid products obtained from an oil well, to produce a hydrocarbon product, comprises a series of separators at progressively lower pressures, to which the fluid products are supplied in succession. A high pressure gas phase is obtained from the separator and is supplied to a flow restrictor so as to undergo cooling through the Joule Thomson effect, and then passed to a NGL separator to produce a natural gas liquid stream and a gaseous natural gas stream. The natural gas stream is then processed chemically, using a synthesis gas production unit, and a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis unit to produce a synthetic crude oil. The synthetic crude oil is supplied to one of the separators, and the natural gas liquid stream is supplied to another of the separators; the pressure in the one separator is greater than the pressure in the other separator.

Abstract: Gas-to-liquids processes for treating natural gas, including the steps of subjecting the natural gas to expansion through a flow restrictor so as to undergo cooling through the Joule Thomson effect. The processes then separate the resulting liquids from the remaining natural gas and processing the natural gas to form a synthesis gas. The synthesis gas is subjected to Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and the output from the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis is separated into a hydrocarbon product and an aqueous phase and the aqueous phase is steam stripped to extract the oxygenates which are then injected into the natural gas stream upstream of the flow restrictor.

Abstract: A gas-to-liquids process and plant for treating natural gas, in which the natural gas is subjected to expansion through a flow restrictor so as to undergo cooling through the Joule Thomson effect, enables liquids to be separated from the gas stream. The natural gas may be cooled before it reaches the flow restrictor by heat exchange with fluid that has passed through the flow restrictor. This decreases the proportion of longer-chain hydrocarbons in the natural gas, which may simplify subsequent processing, and may enable the size of the plant to be decreased.

Abstract: Apparatuses for use in plants for processing methane, the apparatuses comprising a plurality of reaction modules each including a plurality of Fischer-Tropsch reactors operable to convert a gaseous mixture including carbon monoxide and hydrogen to a liquid hydrocarbon. Each module may be disconnected and taken away for servicing while allowing the plant to continue to operate. In some of the apparatuses, each Fischer-Tropsch reactor comprises a plurality of metal sheets arranged as a stack to define first and second flow channels for flow of respective fluids, the channels being arranged alternately to ensure good thermal contact between the fluids in the channels.

Abstract: Methane reacts with steam generating carbon monoxide and hydrogen in a first catalytic reactor; the resulting gas mixture undergoes Fischer-Tropsch synthesis in a second catalytic reactor. In the steam/methane reforming, the gas mixture passes through a narrow channel having mean and exit temperatures both in the range of 750° C. to 900° C., residence time less than 0.5 second, and the channel containing a catalyst, so that only reactions having comparatively rapid kinetics will occur. Heat is provided by combustion of methane in adjacent channels. The ratio of steam to methane may be about 1.5. Almost all methane will undergo the reforming reaction, almost entirely forming carbon monoxide. After Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, the remaining hydrogen may be fed back to the combustion channels. The steam for the reforming step may be generated from water generated by the chemical reactions, by condensing products from Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and by condensing water vapor generated in combustion.

Abstract: An automated insertion apparatus for inserting at least one insert into each of a multiplicity of reactor channels. The apparatus comprises a feed position that supports a magazine that holds a multiplicity of inserts, and a transport mechanism defining at least two support channels each configured to hold a single insert, and means to transport each support channel repeatedly between an input location adjacent to the feed position and an output location, and means to feed one insert from a magazine at the feed position into a support channel of the transport mechanism at the input location. The apparatus also includes a transfer mechanism to push an insert into a reactor channel, and an alignment mechanism to ensure that the insert that is being inserted is aligned with the reactor channel. The transfer mechanism is adjacent to the output location. The transport mechanism may be a rotary drum.

Abstract: A reactor defines first and second flow channels within the reactor, the first flow channels and the second flow channels extending in parallel directions along at least the major part of their lengths. A removable non-structural catalyst insert is provided in those channels in which a reaction is to occur, the catalyst insert comprising a plurality of foils bonded together and which subdivide the flow channel into a multiplicity of flow sub-channels. At least one end portion of the catalyst insert is devoid of active catalytic material. The end portion that is devoid of active catalytic material suppresses the reaction in that part of the flow channel, and so reduces the requirement for any thermal transfer at that part of the flow channel.