Methods of adjusting the Wobbe Index of a fuel and compositions thereof
US6896707B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 2, 2002 |
| Grant date | May 24, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 16, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF23C1/00
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Novel methods of providing fuels to a gas-to-liquids facility are disclosed. A gas-to-liquids facility typically operates in a remote location and therefore must supply its own energy needs. These facilities are often sustained by fuels having different heating values, and for smooth operation while transitioning from one fuel to another, (such as during startup, shut down, and emergencies) the Wobble Indices of the two fuels cannot greatly vary from one another. According to embodiments of the present invention, the Wobble Index of either or both of the fuels is adjusted such that their ratio is less than or equal to about 3. The fuel having the higher Wobble Index may be natural gas, and materials such as nitrogen, carbon dioxide and flue gas may be added to lower its Wobble Index. The fuel having the lower Wobble Index may be the tail gas of a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, and materials such as methane, ethane, LPG, or natural gas may be added to raise its Wobble Index. Alternatively, carbon dioxide may be removed from the tail gas to raise its Wobble Index.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.