Greener Fischer-Tropsch Processes

How can we use our carbon-based resources in the most responsible manner? How can we most efficiently transform natural gas, coal, or biomass into diesel, jet fuel or gasoline to drive our machines? The Big Questions today are energyrelated, and the Fischer-Tropsch process provides industrially tested solutions.

This book offers a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the Fischer-Tropsch process, from the basic science and engineering to commercial issues. It covers industrial, economic, environmental, and fundamental aspects, with a specific focus on ‘green’ concepts such as sustainability, process improvement, waste-reduction, and environmental care. The result is a practical reference for researchers, engineers, and financial analysts working in the energy sector, who are interested in carbon conversion, fuel processing or synthetic fuel technologies. It is also an ideal introductory book on the Fischer-Tropsch process for graduate courses in chemistry and chemical engineering.

PREFACE
 
PART ONE: Introduction
 
WHAT IS FISCHER - TROPSCH?
Feedstocks for Fuel and for Chemicals Manufacture
The Problems
Fuels for Transportation
Feedstocks for the Chemical Industry
Sustainability and Renewables: Alternatives to Fossil Fuels
The Way Forward
XTL and the Fischer - Tropsch Process (FTP)
Alternatives to Fischer - Tropsch
 
PART TWO: Industrial and Economics Aspects
 
SYNGAS: THE BASIS OF FISCHER - TROPSCH
Syngas as Feedstock 19
Routes to Syngas: XTL (X ¼ Gas, Coal, Biomass, and Waste)
Water-Gas Shift Reaction (WGSR)
Synthesis Gas Cleanup
Thermal and Carbon Efficiency
The XTL Gas Loop
CO2 Production and CO2 as Feedstock 46
 
FISCHER - TROPSCH TECHNOLOGY
Introduction
Industrially Applied FT Technologies
FT Catalysts
Requirements for Industrial Catalysts
FT Reactors
Selecting the Right FT Technology
Selecting the FT Operating Conditions
Selecting the FT Catalyst Type
Other Factors That Affect FT Technology Selection
 
WHAT CAN WE DO WITH FISCHER - TROPSCH PRODUCTS?
Introduction
Composition of Fischer - Tropsch Syncrude
Syncrude Recovery after Fischer - Tropsch Synthesis
Fuel Products from Fischer - Tropsch Syncrude
Lubricants from Fischer - Tropsch Syncrude
Petrochemical Products from Fischer - Tropsch Syncrude
 
INDUSTRIAL CASE STUDIES
Introduction
A Brief History of Industrial FT Development
Industrial FT Facilities
Perspectives on Industrial Developments
 
OTHER INDUSTRIALLY IMPORTANT SYNGAS REACTIONS
Survey of CO Hydrogenation Reactions
Syngas to Methanol
Syngas to Dimethyl Ether (DME)
Syngas to Ethanol
Syngas to Acetic Acid
Higher Hydrocarbons and Higher Oxygenates
Hydroformylation
Other Reactions Based on Syngas
 
FISCHER - TROPSCH PROCESS ECONOMICS
Introduction and Background
Market Outlook (Natural Gas)
Capital Cost
Operating Costs
Revenues
Economics and Sensitivity Analysis
 
PART THREE: Fundamental Aspects
 
PREPARATION OF IRON FT CATALYSTS
Introduction
High-Temperature Fischer - Tropsch (HTFT) Catalysts
Low-Temperature Catalysts
Individual Steps
 
COBALT FT CATALYSTS
Introduction
Early German Work
Support Preparation
Addition of Cobalt and Promoters
Calcination
Reduction
Catalyst Transfer
Catalyst Attrition
Addendum Recent Literature Summary
 
OTHER FT CATALYSTS
Introduction
Ni Catalysts
Ruthenium Catalysts
Rhodium Catalysts
Other Catalysts and Promoters
 
SURFACE SCIENCE STUDIES RELATED TO FISCHER?TROPSCH REACTIONS
Introduction: Surfaces in Catalysts and Catalytic Cycles
Heterogeneous Catalyst Characterization
Species Detected on Surfaces
Theoretical Calculations
 
MECHANISTIC STUDIES RELATED TO THE FISCHER - TROPSCH HYDROCARBON SYNTHESIS AND SOME COGNATE PROCESSES
Introduction
Basic FT Reaction: Dissociative and Associative Paths
Some Mechanisms-Related Experimental Studies
Current Views on the Mechanisms of the FT-S
Now: Toward a Consensus?
Dual FT Mechanisms
Cognate Processes: The Formation of Oxygenates in FT-S
Dual Mechanisms Summary
Improvements by Catalyst Modifications
Catalyst Activation and Deactivation Processes
Desorption and Displacement Effects
Directions for Future Researches
Caveat
 
PART FOUR: Environmental Aspects
 
FISCHER - TROPSCH CATALYST LIFE CYCLE
Introduction
Catalyst Manufacturing
Catalyst Consumption
Catalyst Disposal
 
FISCHER - TROPSCH SYNCRUDE: TO REFINE OR TO UPGRADE?
Introduction
Wax Hydrocracking and Hydroisomerization
Olefin Dimerization and Oligomerization
 
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
Introduction
Impact of FT Facilities on the Environment
Water and Wastewater Management
Solid Waste Management
Air Quality Management
Environmental Footprint of FT Refineries
 
PART FIVE: Future Prospects
 
NEW DIRECTIONS, CHALLENGES, AND OPPORTUNITIES
Introduction
Why Go Along the Fischer - Tropsch Route?
Considerations against Fischer - Tropsch Facilities
Opportunities to Improve Fischer - Tropsch Facilities
Fundamental Studies: Keys to Improved FT Processes
Challenges for the Future
Conclusions
 
GLOSSARY
 
INDEX

• Edited by Peter M. Maitlis
• Edited by Arno de Klerk