Optimum integration of Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and syngas production

US6696501B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• STATOIL ASA · NO

Inventors

• Dag Schanke · Trondheim, NO
• Roger Hansen · Trondheim, NO
• Jostein Sogge · Sogndal, NO
• Karina Heitnes Hofstad · Trondheim, NO
• Margrete Hånes WESENBERG · Trondheim, NO
• Erling Rytter · Trondheim, NO

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 19, 2002
• Grant date: Feb 24, 2004
• Expiry date: Sep 19, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C01B2203/82
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A method is described for conversion of natural gas or other fossil fuels to higher hydrocarbons, comprising the following steps: a) reaction of natural gas with steam and oxygenic gas in at least one reforming zone in order to produce a synthesis gas consisting primarily of hydrogen and CO, in addition to some carbon dioxide; b) passing said synthesis gas to a Fisher-Tropsch reactor in order to produce a crude synthesis stream consisting of lower hydrocarbons, water and non-converted synthesis gas; c) separation of said crude synthesis stream in a recovery zone, into a crude product stream mainly containing heavier hydrocarbons, a water stream and a tail gas stream mainly containing the remaining constituents; which is charaterized in that the method also comprises the following steps; d) stream reformation of at least part of the tail gas in a separate steam reformer; e) introduction of the reformed tail gas into the gas stream before this is led into the Fischer-Tropsch reactor.