Design/Economics of an Associated (or Sub-Quality) Gas Fischer-Tropsch Plant

ABSTRACT Previous DOE sponsored gas conversion design/economics studies (detailed below) have been updated to incorporate the latest in Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis design technology, including larger slurry-bed reactors and improved catalyst activity. Autothermal reforming is used for synthesis gas (syngas) generation with a gas containing 13% CO 2 as the feedstock. This gas is more representative of a low-cost associated gas and actually helps to produce a stoichiometric syngas. The design for the FT product upgrading section has also been simplified. A once-through FT design with power coproduction and a design with tail gas recycle for maximum FT liquid production are compared. The capital servicing and gas feedstock costs remain as the primary factors affecting the overall gas conversion economics. With a reasonable associated gas feed cost, FT products can be produced at a cost that is competitive with crude oil at or below current price levels.