Water and Energy Issues in Gas-to-Liquid Processes: Assessment and Integration of Different Gas-Reforming Alternatives

The substantial discoveries of shale gas are leading to increasing attention of gas-to-liquid processes using Fischer Tropsch chemistry. Traditionally, focus has been given to the reaction schemes, while major issues such as energy and water matters have been handled subsequently. There is a need to examine the impact of selecting the reforming technology on issues -pertaining to sustainability such as energy and Water usage. This paper analyzes energy and water generation and management, options for three primary alternatives for the production of syngas: steam reforming, partial oxidation, and autothermal reforming. A combination of thermodynamic models and computer-aided simulation is used to quantify those aspects. Trade-offs are established for the use of a desired H2:CO ratio on water and energy usage. Also, systematic process integration techniques are used to identify the impact of energy and mass integration on the usage of energy and water in the process and to benchmark the process performance.