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Monetization of large
quantities of low cost natural gas depends on advanced process
technology and catalysts, whether the end product is transportation
fuels (GTL), alternative fuels (DME and methanol) or petrochemicals (e.g.ammonia)
The most important
step is the conversion of natural gas to synthesis gas. With the new
generation of the well-proven
Autothermal Reforming (ATR) Technology,
Topsøe offers the most competitive technology available today for
large-scale synthesis gas units.
In the ATR process the
natural gas is desulphurised and converted by a mix of steam and pure
oxygen. The ATR process is a low-investment process with a simple
process lay-out and reactor design.
The ATR reactor
features Topsøe’s proprietary CTS Burner,
which has shown excellent performance in a large number of units. The
ATR process is highly reliable and operates soot-free due to the
combination of the CTS burner and special Topsøe catalysts.
FT Synthesis
The ATR process operate at a
steam-to-carbon ratio (S/C) of 0.6 making it the best choice for
production of synthesis gas for FT synthesis. The first ATR unit
operating at a S/C of 0.6 has been in operation for almost one year. The
ATR process has been selected for several of the new generation of large
GTL plants as part of the Sasol Slurry phase FT process.
DME/Methanol
The ATR process is capable
of operating at low S/C, still achieving near complete conversion of
methane. |
