Conversion of CO2-Rich Natural Gas to Liquid Transportation Fuels via Trireforming and Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis: Model-Based Assessment
File(s)manuscript_final.docx (944.69 KB)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Graciano, Jose EA
Chachuat, Benoit
Alves, Rita MB
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
This paper presents a model-based analysis of a process coupling trireforming and Fischer–Tropsch technologies for the production of liquid fuels from CO2-rich natural gas. The process also includes an upgrading section based on hydrocracking, a separation section, a water gas shift unit, and a Rankine cycle unit for recovering the excess thermal energy produced by the Fischer–Tropsch reactor. Simulations are carried out in the process simulator Aspen Plus using standard unit operation models where applicable, while modeling the nonconventional units, such as the Fischer–Tropsch and hydrocracking reactors, using Aspen Custom Modeler. The proposed process could achieve a carbon conversion efficiency upward of 50% in the analyzed scenario, despite a natural gas feedstock with 30 mol % CO2. The analysis also reveals that the plant-wide electricity consumption could be covered nearly entirely by the Rankine cycle unit, enabling significant cost savings alongside a reduction of the overall global warming potential by about 10% in this specific case study. Finally, the results of a detailed economic assessment indicate that cheap natural gas is a prerequisite to the economic viability of the process, which would remain attractive in the current US scenario, yet presents a major impediment for its deployment in Brazil.
Date Issued
2018-08-01
Date Acceptance
2018-04-11
Citation
INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY RESEARCH, 2018, 57 (30), pp.9964-9976
ISSN
0888-5885
Publisher
American Chemical Society
Start Page
9964
End Page
9976
Journal / Book Title
INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY RESEARCH
Volume
57
Issue
30
Copyright Statement
© 2018 American Chemical Society. This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of a Published Work that appeared in final form in Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, after peer review and technical editing by the publisher. To access the final edited and published work see https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.iecr.8b00135
Sponsor
BG International Limited
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council (E
Identifier
http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000440876800020&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=1ba7043ffcc86c417c072aa74d649202
Grant Number
PO 4513104531
CCR10900 - IRIS 130635/54
Subjects
Science & Technology
Technology
Engineering, Chemical
Engineering
TRI-REFORMING PROCESS
METHANOL PRODUCTION
DIESEL PRODUCTION
HIGH-TEMPERATURE
DIMETHYL ETHER
SLURRY REACTOR
HYBRID BIOMASS
KINETIC-MODEL
SHIFT REACTOR
SIMULATION
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
Barcelona, SPAIN
Date Publish Online
2018-04-11