Recycling the tail-gas during the low temperature Fischer-Tropsch process

Govender, Nilenindran Sundra

Recycling the tail-gas during the low temperature Fischer-Tropsch process

Master Thesis

2005

Publisher

University of Cape Town

Department

Department of Chemical Engineering

Faculty

Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment

Abstract

For the economically viable operation of an iron-based Fischer-Tropsch technology, two options are available: (i) use a diluted feed, such as nitrogenrich synthesis gas, thereby saving on synthesis gas costs [Jess et aI., 1999] or (ii) recycle of the unconverted synthesis gas that leaves the reactor, after condensation of the liquid products (or use a number of reactors in series with intermediate condensation of the products). The tail-gas from the FischerTropsch reactor contains un-reacted synthesis gas, CO2, water vapour and lower hydrocarbons (oletins, paraffins and oxygenates). This stream can in principle be recycled back to the Fischer-Tropsch reactor, and thereby reducing the load on the reformers. However, it is necessary to understand what effects the constituents in the tail gas will have on the Fischer-Tropsch process when this stream is recycled back directly to the Fischer-Tropsch reactors.

Description

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 98-106).

Keywords

Chemical Engineering

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