Abstract: A carbonaceous feedstock to alcohol conversion process in which carbon dioxide and a portion of the hydrogen produced are removed from the syngas stream issuing from a feedstock reformer, to yield a reduced hydrogen, carbon monoxide and methane syngas stream. The hydrogen and the carbon dioxide are passed through a Fischer Tropsch reactor which is catalyzed to favor the production of methanol. The methanol produced in the Fischer-Tropsch reactor is passed with the reduced hydrogen syngas through a second Fischer-Tropsch reactor which is catalyzed to favor the production of ethanol. Also disclosed, without limitation, are a unique catalyst, a method for controlling the content of the syngas formed in the feedstock reformer, and a feedstock handling system.

Abstract: Partial oxidation process of liquid fuels, selected from hydrocarbon and/or oxygenated compounds, together with gaseous fuels, selected from hydrocarbon compounds, natural gas and LPG, by means of a suitable catalytic system comprising the following steps: premixing the reagents and possibly heating them to temperatures ranging from 25 to 400° C., said reagents consisting of said liquid fuels, said gaseous fuels and oxygen or air or oxygen enriched air, optionally in the presence of vapor and/or CO2; reacting the mixture of reagents in the catalytic zone, at inlet temperatures ranging from 50 to 500° C. and space velocities ranging from 1,000 to 1,000,000 Nl reagents/L cat×h, reaching temperatures ranging from 450 to 1350° C.

Abstract: In a process for forming a methane-enriched fuel, a hydrocarbon feedstock that includes hydrocarbons having molecular weights greater than that of methane (CH4) is mixed with an oxidizable gaseous reactant that includes water (H2O) and is free of molecular oxygen (O2). The mixture, which has a H2O/total hydrocarbon (H2O/C) ratio of less than about 1, is heated to an elevated temperature in the presence of a catalyst to form a methane-enriched pre-reformate product. At least a portion of the feedstock hydrocarbons having molecular weights greater than that of methane is converted to methane (CH4) in the process.

Abstract: Natural gas is reacted with steam for generating carbon monoxide and hydrogen in a first catalytic reactor. The resulting gas mixture is used to perform Fischer-Tropsch synthesis in a second catalytic reactor. After performing Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, the remaining hydrogen is separated from a hydrocarbon-rich stream using a hydrogen-permeable membrane, and the hydrocarbon-rich stream is returned to be subjected to steam reforming. Preferable, the hydrogen-rich stream is supplied to a combustion channel for providing heat for the endothermic steam-reforming reaction. The overall process converts natural gas to longer-chain hydrocarbons and can provide a carbon conversion of more than 80%.

Abstract: A process for the startup of an ATR which does not contain an ignition means is provided. Also provided is a process to ascertain ATR catalyst activity prior to introduction of sufficient oxidant to form a flammable feed mixture.

Abstract: A process for carrying out at least two unit operations in series, the process comprising the step of: (a) directing a feed stream into an integrated assembly which comprises a first microchannel unit operation upon at least one chemical of the feed stream to generate a distributed output stream that exits the first microchannel unit operation in a first set of discrete microchannels isolating flow through the discrete microchannels; and (b) directing the distributed output stream of the first microchannel unit operation into a second microchannel unit operation as a distributed input stream, to continue isolating flow between the first set of discrete microchannels, and conducting at least one operation upon at least one chemical of the input stream to generate a product stream that exits the second microchannel unit operation, where the first microchannel unit operation and the second unit operation share a housing.

Abstract: A process for the production of hydrocarbons is described including; a) subjecting a mixture of a hydrocarbon feedstock and steam to catalytic steam reforming to form a partially reformed gas, b) subjecting the partially reformed gas to partial combustion with an oxygen-containing gas and bringing the resultant partially combusted gas towards equilibrium over a steam reforming catalyst to form a reformed gas mixture, c) cooling the reformed gas mixture to below the dew point of the steam therein to condense water and separating condensed water to give a de-watered synthesis gas, d) synthesising hydrocarbons from side de-watered synthesis gas by the Fischer-Tropsch reaction and e) separating the hydrocarbons from co-produced water, characterised in that at least part of said co-produced water is fed to a saturator wherein it is contacted with hydrocarbon feedstock to provide at least part of the mixture of hydrocarbon feedstock and steam subjected to steam reforming.

Abstract: An improved, economical alternative method to supply steam and methane to a steam methane reformer (SMR) is accomplished by a combination of procedures, wherein product gas from a steam hydro-gasification reactor (SHR) is used as the feedstock for the SMR by removing impurities from the product stream from the SHR with a gas cleanup unit that operates substantially at process pressures and at a temperature above the boiling point of water at the process pressure, is located between the SHR and SMR.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting carbonaceous material to a stream of methane and carbon monoxide rich gas by heating the carbonaceous material in a fluidized bed reactor using hydrogen, as fluidizing medium, and using steam, under reducing conditions at a temperature and pressure sufficient to generate a stream of methane and carbon monoxide rich gas but at a temperature low enough and/or at a pressure high enough to enable the carbonaceous material to be fluidized by the hydrogen. In particular embodiments, the carbonaceous material is fed as a slurry feed, along with hydrogen, to a kiln type reactor before being fed to the fluidized bed reactor.

Abstract: A process for production of hydrocarbons including a) reforming a divided hydrocarbon feedstock stream, mixing the first stream with steam, passing the mixture over a catalyst disposed in heated heat exchange reformer tubes to form a primary reformed gas, forming a secondary reformer feed stream including the primary reformed gas and the second hydrocarbon stream, partially combusting the secondary reformer feed stream and bringing the partially combusted gas towards equilibrium over a secondary catalyst, and producing a partially cooled reformed gas, b) further cooling the partially cooled reformed gas below the dew point of steam therein to condense water and separating condensed water to give a de-watered synthesis gas, c) synthesising hydrocarbons from the de-watered synthesis gas by the Fischer-Tropsch reaction and separating some of the synthesised hydrocarbons into a tail gas, and d) incorporating part of the tail gas into the secondary reformer feed stream before partial combustion thereof.

Abstract: A floating vessel 11 for producing hydrocarbons comprises one or more containers 12 having a chamber 13 formed therein, a structural frame 15 for interconnecting the one or more containers 12, a power system 16 for producing, storing, and distributing power, and a hydrocarbon processor 27.

Abstract: A relatively simple and energy efficient multiple stage cryogenic process for the purification of a hydrogen-rich stream by the removal of acid gases, mainly CO2 and H2S, by method of autorefrigeration and delivering or producing those acid gases, mainly CO2, at pressure sufficiently high for disposal by containment, commonly known as sequestration. Autorefrigeration is comprised of (a) condensing acid gases from the syngas stream by cooling the syngas, (b) separating the liquefied acid gases from the syngas, and (c) evaporating the liquefied acid gases at a pressure lower than that of the syngas to provide cooling. The process is composed of multiple autorefrigeration stages to generate multiple acid gas product streams with a pressure as high as practical in each stream so as to lessen the power needed to pressurize the acid gas streams for sequestration.

Abstract: Process and system for the production of synthesis gas from a hydrocarbon feed stock comprising the steps of endothermic and/or adiabatic catalytic steam reforming and autothermal steam reforming in series, wherein the steam reforming is carried out in one or more endothermic stages in series or in one or more adiabatic steam reforming stages in series with intermediate heating of feed stock gas leaving the adiabatic reforming stages and wherein carbon monoxide containing gas characterised by having a molar ratio of hydrogen to carbon of less than 4.5 is added prior to at least one of the endothermic or adiabatic steam reforming stages and/or prior to the autothermal steam reforming step.

Abstract: A reactor system, plant and a process for the production of methanol from synthesis gas is described in which the reactor system comprises: (a) a first reactor adapted to be maintained under methanol synthesis conditions having inlet means for supply of synthesis gas and outlet means for recovery of a first methanol-containing stream, said first reactor being charged with a first volume of a methanol synthesis catalyst through which the synthesis gas flows and on which in use, partial conversion of the synthesis gas to a product gas mixture comprising methanol and un-reacted synthesis gas will occur adiabatically; and (b) a second reactor adapted to be maintained under methanol synthesis conditions having inlet means for supply of the gaseous first methanol-containing stream, outlet means for recovery of a second methanol-containing stream and cooling means, said second reactor being charged with a second volume of a methanol synthesis catalyst through which the gaseous first methanol-containing stream flows

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for the preparation of dimethylether from hydrocarbons, including tri-reforming a feedstock mixture comprised of hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide and water vapor in the presence of a tri-reforming catalyst, to prepare a syngas, which then undergoes gas-phase direct synthesis into dimethylether in one step in the presence of a hybrid catalyst. According to the process of this invention, three main processes among typical syngas preparation processes are simultaneously performed, and then, the syngas thus obtained is prepared into dimethylether through a direct reaction in one step, thereby decreasing the apparatus cost and operation cost. In addition, all of the carbon dioxide separated and recovered from the unreacted material and by-products may be reused as reaction material, thus decreasing the generation of carbon dioxide and reducing the material cost.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing a synthesis gas for use as a gaseous fuel or as feed into a Fischer-Tropsch reactor to produce a liquid fuel in a substantially self-sustaining process. A slurry of particles of carbonaceous material in water, and hydrogen from an internal source, are fed into a hydro-gasification reactor under conditions whereby methane rich producer gases are generated and fed into a steam pyrolytic reformer under conditions whereby synthesis gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide are generated. A portion of the hydrogen generated by the steam pyrolytic reformer is fed through a hydrogen purification filter into the hydro-gasification reactor, the hydrogen therefrom constituting the hydrogen from an internal source. The remaining synthesis gas generated by the steam pyrolytic reformer is either used as fuel for a gaseous fueled engine to produce electricity and/or process heat or is fed into a Fischer-Tropsch or similar reactor under conditions whereby a liquid fuel is produced.

Abstract: What is described is a method and an installation for the simultaneous production of methanol synthesis gas, ammonia synthesis gas, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide from natural gas, in which several plant elements (or plant units) are serially arranged one by one in one single production chain, whereat these elements comprise: a first reactor A, in which the natural gas is transformed under oxygen supply into a synthesis gas mixture comprised of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen and steam (water vapor), a second reactor B, which allows to control the transformation of carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide, optionally a compressor C for compressing the generated gases, an absorber D for the absorption of carbon dioxide and for obtaining the carbon monoxide-hydrogen mixture used for methanol synthesis, a low-temperature separator E, in which ammonia synthesis gas is obtained by introducing liquid nitrogen, and in which simultaneously carbon monoxide, argon and methane are removed.

Abstract: A process for producing methanol is described in which a hydrocarbon is steam reformed in a reforming zone, and during the reforming stage, of a cyclic steam reformer having a reforming stage and a regeneration stage, the steam reforming being conducted under conditions effective to produce a first effluent stream containing synthesis gas. A fuel and an oxygen-containing gas are combusted in the regeneration stage of the reformer so as to reheat the reforming zone to a temperature sufficient for the reforming stage and generate a flue gas. At least part of the first effluent stream is contacted with a methanol synthesis catalyst under conditions effective to convert synthesis gas to methanol and form a methanol-containing stream and a tail gas stream comprising unreacted carbon monoxide and hydrogen.

Abstract: A process for thermochemical conversion of heavy oil and petroleum coke to fluid fuels includes the steps of: providing a fossil fuel selected from the group consisting of heavy oil, petroleum coke and mixtures thereof; and exposing the fossil fuel to an external source of concentrated radiation so as to increase the temperature of the fossil fuel, supply high-temperature heat required for the desired endothermic conversion process, and convert the fossil fuel to a product selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, gaseous hydrocarbons and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A process for producing methanol is described in which a hydrocarbon is steam reformed in a reforming zone, and during the reforming stage, of a cyclic steam reformer having a reforming stage and a regeneration stage, the steam reforming being conducted under conditions effective to produce a first effluent stream containing synthesis gas. Fuel and an oxygen-containing gas are combusted in the regeneration stage of the reformer so as to reheat the reforming zone to a temperature sufficient for the reforming stage and generate a flue gas. At least part of the first effluent stream is contacted with a methanol synthesis catalyst under conditions effective to convert synthesis gas to methanol and form a methanol-containing stream and a tail gas stream comprising unreacted carbon monoxide and hydrogen. At least part of the tail gas stream is recycled as fuel for the regeneration stage of the cyclic steam reformer.

Abstract: Methanol is synthesized from pre-heated methanol synthesis gas in one or more adiabatic synthesis stages with cooling of the resultant gas after each stage. Further methanol synthesis is then effected on the resultant partially reacted synthesis gas in a bed of synthesis catalyst cooled by means of a coolant flowing co-currently through tubes disposed in the catalyst bed. After cooling methanol is separated from the unreacted gas. Part of the unreacted gas is combined with make-up gas and used as the coolant fed to the aforesaid tubes, thus producing the pre-heated synthesis gas to be fed to the adiabatic synthesis stages.

Abstract: Natural gas is processed to generate longer-chain hydrocarbons, the process comprising subjecting the gas to steam reforming to generate a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, and then subjecting this mixture to Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. The Fischer-Tropsch synthesis is performed at an elevated temperature above 230° C. and with a gas hourly space velocity greater than 10 000 hr?1 so as to achieve a selectivity to the production of C5+ hydrocarbons that is less than 65%. The resulting liquid product can be used as a vehicle fuel, while the tail gases may be used to generate electricity.

Abstract: Synthesis gas for a Fischer-Tropsch process is obtained by primary steam reforming a hydrocarbon feedstock in tubes in a heat exchange reformer, subjecting the primary reformed gas to secondary reforming and using the hot secondary reformed gas to heat the tubes in the heat exchange reformer. The resultant reformed gas is cooled, de-watered and used to form hydrocarbons in the Fischer-Tropsch process. At least part of the tail gas from the Fischer-Tropsch process is combusted in a gas turbine to provide power for the reforming process.

Abstract: Methane is reacted with steam, to generate carbon monoxide and hydrogen in a first catalytic reactor; the resulting gas mixture can then be used to perform Fischer-Tropsch synthesis in a second catalytic reactor. In performing the steam/methane reforming, the gas mixture is passed through a narrow flow channel containing a catalyst structure on a metal substrate, and adjacent to a source of heat, in a time less than 0.5 s, so that only those reactions that have comparatively rapid kinetics will occur. Both the average temperature and the exit temperature of the channel are in the range 750° to 900° C. The ratio of steam to methane should preferably be 1.4 to 1.6, for example about 1.5. Almost all the methane will undergo the reforming reaction, almost entirely forming carbon monoxide. After performing Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, the remaining hydrogen is preferably used to provide heat for the reforming reaction.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a process for converting a reactant composition comprising H2 and CO to a product comprising at least one aliphatic hydrocarbon having at least about 5 carbon atoms, the process comprising: flowing the reactant composition through a microchannel reactor in contact with a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst to convert the reactant composition to the product, the microchannel reactor comprising a plurality of process microchannels containing the catalyst; transferring heat from the process microchannels to a heat exchanger; and removing the product from the microchannel reactor; the process producing at least about 0.5 gram of aliphatic hydrocarbon having at least about 5 carbon atoms per gram of catalyst per hour; the selectivity to methane in the product being less than about 25%. The disclosed invention also relates to a supported catalyst comprising Co, and a microchannel reactor comprising at least one process microchannel and at least one adjacent heat exchange zone.

Abstract: A process for the production of methanol from liquid or gaseous starting materials, in which the emission of carbon dioxide is reduced or completely eliminated.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing liquid hydrocarbons by first generating in a pressure swing reformer a synthesis gas stream having a mole ratio of H2:CO greater than 2:1. Then, a portion of the hydrogen is separated to produce a synthesis gas stream having a mole ratio of H2:CO of about 2:1 which steam is then introduced into a hydrocarbon synthesis reactor for conversion to liquid products.

Abstract: A method of increasing the production in an existing process plant for converting natural gas into a product, where the natural gas is first converted to a synthesis gas in a synthesis gas section, the synthesis gas is brought to reaction in a reactor for synthesis of the product, where non-converted synthesis gas and product are separated into two streams, where a product-rich stream is taken off the process, while a product-poor stream is re-circulated back as feed to the reactor together with fresh synthesis gas, and where part of the re-circulating stream is taken off the re-circulation loop as a purge gas, where the purge gas is separated into hydrogen-rich and hydrogen-poor streams, where hydrogen-rich streams are introduced in stages of the process where addition of hydrogen is desirable, and where the residual thermal value of the hydrogen-poor stream may be used for heating prior to the stream being discharged, wherein the synthesis gas from the synthesis gas section receives a hydrogen-rich stream f

Abstract: A process (10) for producing synthesis gas includes, in a gasification stage (12), gasifying a carbonaceous feestock to provide a raw synthesis gas which includes at least H2, CO and CH4 and, in a partial oxidation stage (14), subjecting the raw synthesis gas to partial oxidation in the presence of oxygen to provide an upgraded synthesis gas which includes less CH4 and more H2 and CO than the raw synthesis gas. The invention extends to a process for producing a synthesis gas derived product.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for managing hydrogen in a hydrocarbon gas to liquid plant. The process includes feeding a syngas stream produced by a partial oxidation reactor to a Fischer-Tropsch reactor, thereby converting the syngas to hydrocarbon liquids. It also includes passing a substantially oxygen-free feed stream comprising hydrocarbon gas and water to a steam reformer, thereby producing a hydrogen-rich stream. The H2/CO ratio in the syngas feed stream can be adjusted to a desired value by introducing a first portion of the hydrogen-rich stream to the syngas feed stream. A second portion of the hydrogen-rich stream can be passed to one or more hydrogen users, e.g., a catalyst regeneration unit, in the GTL plant.

Abstract: An integrated Fischer-Tropsch process having improved alcohol processing capability is provided. The integrated Fischer-Tropsch process includes, optionally, synthesis gas production, Fischer-Tropsch reaction, Fischer-Tropsch reaction product recovery and, optionally, separation, catalytic dehydration of primary and internal alcohols, and, optionally, hydro-processing.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for producing a gas mixture containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide, and optionally nitrogen, from at least a hydrocarbon such as methane, propane, butane or LPG or natural gas, which comprises performing a partial catalytic oxidation of one or several hydrocarbons, at a temperature of 500° C., at a pressure of 3 to 20 bars, in the presence of oxygen or a gas containing oxygen, such as air, to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Recuperating the gas mixture, which can subsequently be purified or separated, by pressure swing adsorption, temperature swing adsorption or by permeation, to produce hydrogen having a purity of at least 80% and a residue gas capable of supplying a cogeneration unit. In another embodiment, the gas mixture can subsequently be purified of its water vapor impurities and carbon dioxide to obtain a thermal treatment atmosphere containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide and nitrogen.

Abstract: A process for the production of hydrocarbons and ammonia, and more particularly a process for optimizing the production of hydrocarbons and ammonia using a combined hydrocarbon synthesis plant and ammonia synthesis plant. Synthesis gas exiting a reforming section of the hydrocarbon synthesis process is sent to a hydrogen extraction unit, where it is divided into a hydrogen-rich stream and a hydrogen-poor stream. The hydrogen-rich stream is then fed into an ammonia synthesis process. The hydrogen-poor stream may be returned to the hydrocarbon synthesis process or may be used as a fuel gas. The process reduces emission of CO2 into the atmosphere, and requires only one reforming section and one air separation unit for both processes. Removal of hydrogen from the hydrocarbon synthesis process before the synthesis gas enters a Fischer-Tropsch reactor also lowers the H2/CO ratio of the synthesis gas, therefore resulting in better hydrocarbon selectively.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing methanol comprises producing a synthesis gas, recovering carbon dioxide from combustion exhaust gas by a carbon dioxide recovery apparatus provided with a carbon dioxide absorption tower and a carbon dioxide-absorbing solution regenerating tower, feeding the carbon dioxide to the upstream side and/or the downstream side of a reformer, allowing reaction of the synthesis gas to produce a reaction product, recovering a liquid crude methanol, and distilling the liquid crude methanol in a distillation apparatus provided with a topping tower, a pressure distillation tower and an atmospheric distillation tower to isolate refined methanol. Bottom liquid of the topping tower is heated and introduced into the pressure distillation tower, and the heat of distilled liquid discharged from this tower is utilized as a heat source for the regenerating tower and as a heat source for the atmospheric distillation tower.

Abstract: A coal formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. A mixture of hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a pyrolysis temperature. A portion of a formation may be heated from a plurality of heat sources to a temperature sufficient to allow generation of a first synthesis gas having a low H2 to CO ratio. A second portion of a formation may generate synthesis gas having a H2 to CO ratio greater than the first synthesis gas. A portion of the first synthesis gas may be blended with a portion of the second synthesis gas to produce a blend synthesis gas having a desired H2 to CO ratio.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing methanol comprising producing a synthesis gas containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, allowing reaction of the synthesis gas to take place over a catalyst to produce a crude methanol, separating the crude methanol into unreacted gas and liquid crude methanol, and distilling the liquid crude methanol to separate it into refined methanol and waste water. Carbon dioxide in combustion exhaust gas to be discharged from a reformer is recovered, and that in feeding the carbon dioxide to the upstream side and/or the downstream side of the reformer, part of the unreacted gas is utilized as a purge gas, a portion of which being utilized as a fuel for a combustion device of the reformer, while the balance of the purge gas being utilized as a fuel for other heating sources and/or as an agent for desulfurizating raw gas.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing liquid hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbonaceous feedstock involving: (i) catalylically reforming at least part of the hydrocarbonaceous feedstock at elevated temperature and pressure with steam in at least one reforming zone; (ii) heating the reforming zone(s) by means of a carbon dioxide containing heating gas containing a product obtained by partial oxidation of the reformer product obtained in step (i) and carbon dioxide depleted light product obtained in step (vi) with an oxygen-containing gas in an oxidation zone; (iii) separating carbon dioxide from cooled down heating gas obtained in step (ii); (iv) catalytically converting at least part of the carbon dioxide depleted gas steam obtained in step (iii) at elevated temperature and pressure into normally liquid hydrocarbons; (v) separating product stream obtained in step (iv) into a light product having mainly unconverted synthesis gas, inerts and light hydrocarbons and a heavy product; having mainly normally

Abstract: Provided is a process for converting CO2-rich natural gas into liquid fuel. The process includes introducing a CO2-rich natural gas feed stream into a synthesis gas formation reactor and then forming a synthesis gas. At least a portion of the synthesis gas is then introduced into a Fischer-Tropsch reactor. A Fischer-Tropsch process is conducted generating a Fischer-Tropsch product. A naphtha is separated from the Fischer-Tropsch product and introduced into a naphtha reformer. Hydrogen by-product is generated by reforming the naphtha to obtain a C6-C10 product having a hydrogen to carbon ratio less than about 2.0. At least a portion of the hydrogen by-product is recirculated and mixed with the CO2-rich natural gas feed stream.

Abstract: An integrated large capacity, single-train process for making 1,00020,000 MTPD methanol and 3006,000 MTPD acetic acid is disclosed. Syngas 120 is produced by autothermal reforming 118 of natural gas 102 where the feed 112 of the natural gas is supplied with oxygen and CO2 recycle 110 to the autothermal reformer (ATR) 118. A portion (5-50%) of the syngas is fed to CO2 removal 122 to obtain the recycle CO2 and cold box 130 to obtain a hydrogen stream 131 and a CO stream 135. The 50-95% remaining syngas, hydrogen stream 131 and optionally any CO2 from an associated process are fed to methanol synthesis 140, which produces the methanol. The methanol is supplied to an acetic acid unit 136 with the CO 135 to make the acetic acid, which in turn can be supplied to a VAM synthesis unit 148. Oxygen for the ATR and any VAM synthesis can be supplied by a single common air separation unit 116, and utilities such as steam generation can further integrate the process.

Abstract: A process for the production of a liquid hydrocarbon oil from a gas feed containing a lower hydrocarbon and CO2, wherein the gas feed is mixed with H2O to obtain a mixed gas having specific CO2, H2O and lower hydrocarbon contents. The mixed gas is contacted with a Rh, Ru/MgO catalyst having a specific surface area of 5 m2/g or less to produce a synthesis gas with a carbon conversion efficiency Cf of at least 50%. The thus obtained synthesis gas having a H2/CO molar ratio of 1.5-2.5 is reacted in the presence of a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst to obtain a liquid hydrocarbon oil, while the synthesis gas having a H2/CO molar ratio of 0.5-1.5 is reacted in the presence of one or more catalysts having methanol synthesizing, dehydrating and CO shift reaction activities to obtain dimethyl ether.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for treatment and disposal of water produced by converting a lighter hydrocarbon to a heavier hydrocarbon using a Fischer-Tropsch process. The system and method also provide for disposal of contaminants associated with the conversion process using a combustion chamber of at least one gas turbine. Water produced by the Fischer-Tropsch process may be used to wash or scrub synthesis gas in a synthesis gas water wash column prior to the synthesis gas entering a Fischer-Tropsch reactor. Contaminated water from the synthesis gas water wash column may be directed to a water stripping column which uses steam from the Fischer-Tropsch reactor to scrub or clean the contaminated water. A stream of contaminated steam and undesired contaminants preferably exits from the water stripping column and is directed to the combustion chamber of at least one gas turbine.

Abstract: A method for increasing production in an existing processing plant for converting natural gas into a product, wherein the natural gas is first converted into a synthesis gas in a synthesis gas section, the synthesis gas is reacted in a reactor for synthesis of the product, where non-converted synthesis gas and product are separated into two streams, where a product-rich stream is taken out of the process, while a product-poor stream is recycled as feed to the reactor together with make-up synthesis gas, and where a portion of the recycle stream is taken out of the recycle loop as a purge gas, where the purge gas is separated into hydrogen-rich and hydrogen-poor streams, where hydrogen-rich streams are introduced into steps in the process where it is desirable to have a supplement of hydrogen, and where the residual thermal value of the hydrogen-poor stream is optionally used for heating before it is discharged. A modified processing plant for carrying out the method is also described.

Abstract: A process for producing liquid hydrocarbon products includes converting a natural gas feedstock to synthesis gas, which is reacted, in a hydrocarbon synthesis stage and by a Fischer-Tropsch reaction, to produce a range of hydrocarbon product. An overheads vapour phase is separated from a liquid phase, and fed to a product condensation stage, where condensation of some components thereof takes place. A vapour phase, an aqueous phase, and a condensed product phase are withdrawn. The vapour phase is fed to a vapour phase work-up stage where a gas component comprising increased concentrations of CO and H2, relative to the vapour phase feed to the vapour phase work-up stage, is recovered, with this gas component being recycled to the hydrocarbon synthesis stage.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of manufacturing a synthesis gas comprising reacting hydrocarbons with water vapor in a reformer to produce a synthesis gas containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, recovering carbon dioxide from combustion exhaust gas which has been discharged from the reformer by a carbon dioxide recovery apparatus provided with a carbon dioxide absorption tower and with a carbon dioxide-absorbing liquid regenerating tower, and feeding the carbon dioxide thus recovered, as a component of raw gas, to the upstream side and/or the downstream side of the reformer. The hot synthesis gas produced in the reformer is utilized as a heat source for regenerating a carbon dioxide-absorbing liquid in the carbon dioxide-absorbing liquid regenerating tower of the carbon dioxide recovery apparatus.

Abstract: A multistage compact packed-bed Fischer-Tropsch reactor comprises a plurality of first-stage reaction tubes and a plurality of second-stage reaction tubes in a reaction-heat-exchange chamber of a reactor vessel. The interior space of each of the reaction tubes contains a packed bed of catalyst. The reactor vessel contains an interstage fluid process chamber and a heat exchanger for condensing hydrocarbon products and water. After passing through catalyst in the first-stage reaction tubes, a process gas stream is cooled by a heat exchanger within the reactor vessel to condense hydrocarbon products and water. The liquid hydrocarbons and water are removed from the reactor vessel. The product gas stream then enters the second-stage tubes in which it is preheated by transfer of heat from the first-stage reaction tubes. The reactor comprises an exit-fluid process chamber within the reactor vessel.

Abstract: A process for the production of methanol comprises subjecting a hydrocarbon feedstock partial oxidation and an optional reformer to produce a partial oxidation reactor effluent comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide; adding an amount of a hydrogen feedstock, at least a portion of which is obtained from electrolyzing water, to the partial oxidation reactor effluent to produce a synthesis gas stream having a predetermined ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide and optionally to carbon dioxide; subjecting the synthesis gas to methanol synthesis to produce a methanol product stream; and, recycling a substantial portion of the methanol product stream to the partial oxidation reactor.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon containing formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. A mixture of hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a pyrolysis temperature. A portion of a formation may be heated from a plurality of heat sources to a temperature sufficient to allow generation of a first synthesis gas having a low H2 to CO ratio. A second portion of a formation may generate synthesis gas having a H2 to CO ratio greater than the first synthesis gas. A portion of the first synthesis gas may be blended with a portion of the second synthesis gas to produce a blend synthesis gas having a desired H2 to CO ratio.

Abstract: Process and system for the production of synthesis gas from a hydrocarbon feed stock comprising the steps of endothermic and/or adiabatic catalytic steam reforming and autothermal steam reforming in series, wherein the steam reforming is carried out in one or more endothermic stages in series or in one or more adiabatic steam reforming stages in series with intermediate heating of feed stock gas leaving the adiabatic reforming stages and wherein carbon monoxide containing gas characterised by having a molar ratio of hydrogen to carbon of less than 4.5 is added prior to at least one of the endothermic or adiabatic steam reforming stages and/or prior to the autothermal steam reforming step.

Abstract: Process for the production of synthesis gas by catalytic steam reforming of a hydrocarbon containing feedstock in parallel in an autothermal steam reformer and in one or more steam reformers in series, the heat for the steam reforming reactions in the one or more steam reformers being provided by indirect heat exchange with the combined effluents from the one or more steam reformers with the autothermal steam reformer, and wherein carbon monoxide containing gas is added to the feedstock prior to the steam reforming in the autothermal steam reformer and/or prior to the steam reforming in the one or more steam reformers, the carbon monoxide containing gas having a molar ratio of hydrogen to carbon of less than 4.5 and being added in an amount resulting in a product stream having a molar ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide of between about 1.8 and 2.3.

Abstract: Light olefins including LPG contained in unreacted tail gas from a Fischer-Tropsch process are catalytically condensed using an acidic oligomerization/aromatization catalyst to form higher molecular weight C5+ products. Thus, C3-C4 olefins are readily separated from the tail gas and upgraded to more valuable products. In one embodiment, the condensation is conducted on a mixed gas stream of fresh synthesis gas and tail gas from a Fischer-Tropsch process. In another embodiment, the condensation is conducted on a syngas feed to a Fischer-Tropsch reactor and removes a significant portion of catalytically poisonous nitrogen compounds.