Methanol Synthesis Using Microchannel Reactors for Off-Shore Applications
Special Symposium - EPIC-1: European Process Intensification Conference - 1
EPIC-1: Intensified Hydrodynamics & Structured Environments (IHSE-4)
Keywords: microchannel reactor, methanol synthesis, off-shore, heat transfer, cost estimation
Abstract:
The proven natural gas reserves in the world exceeds 6000 TCF, from which about 50% located in remote area with no economic feasibility to be produced, shipped and sold. Approximately half of stranded gas reserves are off-shore. This implies finding solutions for utilization of most of the undiscovered natural gas reserves, including the Norwegian shelf as well as the arctic area, considering the growing demand in fuel and chemicals market.
Among different ways for remote off-shore natural gas monetization, on-site conversion into readily transportable fuels such as diesel, naphtha, methanol and DME is of great interest for energy companies. Limitations in space and weight, as well as demanding site-conditions, call for highly integrated, compact, low weight and safe technology. Microreaction Technology features unique advantages in terms of heat and mass transfer and could be a reasonable choice for the Fischer-Tropsch and methanol syntheses, for which highly exothermic and complex reaction systems are linked to the selectivity and reactor performance.
The present research specifically addresses an experimental study of methanol synthesis from synthesis gas in a microchannel reactor-heat exchanger made by Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe (FZK). The reaction is highly exothermic and limited by thermodynamic equilibrium. The heat is removed by cross flow heat transfer oil channels. A conventional fixed bed reactor with identical operating conditions is used to compare reaction performance and transport phenomena between the two systems. Both in-house developed and powdered commercial CuO/ZnO catalysts are used to test the activity and productivity of the microchannel reactors. Studies of the effect of change in operational parameters such as pressure, temperature, gas velocity, feed composition on the reactor performance will be presented in a comparative way.
Based on the achieved results, a preliminary economic study of a 1000 TPD stand alone off-shore methanol synthesis process has been made. Different scenarios for cost estimation were taken into account. The results of this study show an acceptable economy for off-shore methanol plant using microchannel reactors. Based on the new technical findings, work for a more accurate economic calculation will proceed in this research project.
Presented Thursday 20, 12:00 to 12:20, in session EPIC-1: Intensified Hydrodynamics & Structured Environments (IHSE-4).
