Synthesis Gas UtilizationThe Fischer-Tropsch Process

Julius Pretorius, PhD, PChemEnvironment and Carbon ManagementAlberta Innovates Technology Futures

Julius Pretorius, PhD, PChemEnvironment and Carbon ManagementAlberta Innovates Technology Futures

Seminar & Tour - Edmonton Waste Management Centre October 5, 2011Co-presented by the Edmonton Waste Management Centre of Excellence

Sponsored by Alberta Plastics Recycling Association, The Canadian Plastics Industry Association, and the American Chemistry Council

in conjunction with the annual conference of the Recycling Council of Alberta

Syngas generation i.e. Gasification

Syngas, a powerful reagent

Syngas to Liquids

Conclusions

Questions

Outline

Syngas generation i.e. Gasification

Syngas, a powerful reagent

Syngas to Liquids

Conclusions

Questions

Gasification

C + H2O -> CO + H2

C + 0.5O2 -> CO

CO + H2O CO2 + H2

CO + 3H2 -> CH4 + 2H2O

But also…

Chemistry…Carbon source

Carbon source

Bunker

Feeder

Lock

WaterOxygen

Quenchliquor

Quenchcooler But also…

H2S, COS, R-SH, R-S-S-R’,

HCN, NH3

Tars, volatile metals

Collings, 2002

Oxygen

Rotating grate

Ash sluiceway

Quenchcooler

Crudegas

Steam and

oxygenAsh lock

Power Generation

Gas Turbine

IC Engine

Fuel Cells

Refining

Transportation fuels

Methanol

Boiler

HydrogenOxygenates

Wax

Diesel

Gasoline

Naphtha

H2+CO

Higher Alcohols

Fischer-Tropsch

Syngas as building block

Transportation fuels

Fuel Cells

Chemicals

FertilizersFormaldehyde

Methyl Acetate

Acetic Acid

DME

Acetic anhydride

VAM

PVA

Ketene

Diketene

Acetic esters

Gasoline

Olefins

What is “Fischer-Tropsch”?

Catalytically mediated chemical process that….

…converts carbonaceous material

Coal

Biomass

Methane

MSW

alkanes

H2 + CO

…via “synthesis gas” (syngas)

alkanes

alkenes

oxygenates

…into hydrocarbon products

Elements of “Fischer-Tropsch”

Bartholomew and Hecker, 2009

Pressure

Low TemperatureLTFT

Conditions

20 – 40 bar (290 – 580 psi)

H2 /CO

1.0 – 2.2

TemperatureLow Temperature

LTFT

High TemperatureHTFT

1. 220oC – 240oC

2. 300oC – 350oC

Catalysts

Low Temperature FT

ReactorsFixed bed

Slurry

High Temperature FT

ReactorsCirculating Fluidized Bed

Fixed Fluidized Bed

ReactorsFixed bed

Slurry

CatalystsPrecipitated FeSupported Co

H2/COPrecipitated Fe: 1 - 1.5Supported Co: 2 – 2.2

ReactorsCirculating Fluidized Bed

Fixed Fluidized Bed

CatalystsFused Fe

H2/CO1.5

De Klerk, 2009

Steynberg and Dry, 2004

LT-FT Refinery: Chemicals

De Klerk, 2008

LT-FT Refinery: Diesel

Steynberg and Dry, 2004

Research and Development needs

Start

Composition

Activation

ChangeActivation

Procedure?

IPposition

OK?

No

Yes

Yes

NoYes

IPposition

OK?

No YesNo

Research framework…

Reactorconditions

Does itlast?

ChangeReactor

Conditions?Yes

Yes

No

Yes

QEDSelectivityOK?

ActivityOK?

No

Yes

IPposition

OK?

IPposition

OK?

Yes

Syngas, a powerful reagent

FT is versatile, mitigates economic risk

Research needs in FT catalyst improvement

Conclusions

Syngas, a powerful reagent

FT is versatile, mitigates economic risk

Research needs in FT catalyst improvement

Thank you!

Questions?

Thank you!

Questions?