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

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.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Chemical Engineering

Year dc:date.issued

2005

Author dc:creator

• Govender, Nilenindran Sundra

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Van Steen, Eric
• Janse van Vuuren, Matthys

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/5328

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/5328