Portable Gas-to-Liquids Plant for Stranded Gas Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Remote natural gas fields are often not economical to produce due to the lack of pipelines for transport, resulting in stranded resources with limited economic value, and the practice of flaring natural gas wastes both the resource and contributes to carbon dioxide emissions.
Innovation Solution
A portable gas-to-liquids (GTL) plant constructed on a skid mount that can be transported to remote sites, converting methane and other gaseous hydrocarbons into liquid hydrocarbons like diesel, utilizing a remote-control system for operation, and allowing for minimal downtime through on-site servicing and catalyst replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If natural gas is compressed and reinjected for enhanced oil recovery, then the economic value of the resource is improved, but the full economic potential is not realized and carbon dioxide emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of natural gas by converting it from gaseous to liquid phase through the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process. This parameter change enables the gas to be transported via existing liquid fuel infrastructure, fully realizing its economic value while avoiding CO2 emissions from flaring or incomplete utilization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of stranded gas (which would otherwise be flared and produce CO2) into a beneficial liquid fuel product. By transforming the waste problem into a value-added product, the system eliminates CO2 emissions while maximizing economic return from the natural gas resource
2Productivity
If a portable GTL plant is deployed to remote sites, then the economic value of stranded gas fields is enhanced, but the device complexity and transportation requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the GTL plant into modular, portable units that can be transported to remote sites and assembled on location. This segmentation allows the complex conversion process to be delivered in manageable modules, enabling economic exploitation of stranded gas fields without requiring permanent infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic, deployable structure for the GTL plant that can be transported, assembled, operated, and relocated as needed. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to remote site requirements while maintaining the capability to produce liquid fuels from stranded natural gas, balancing portability with functional complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The portable GTL plant enhances the economic value of stranded gas fields by converting natural gas into liquid hydrocarbons, which can be stored and transported for further processing, thereby maximizing resource utilization and reducing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
a reforming reactor to form a syngas from water and the gaseous hydrocarbon feed
Implementation Method 2
a Fischer-Tropsch reactor to form a hydrocarbon outlet stream from the syngas, wherein the hydrocarbon outlet stream comprises carbon compounds of about five to about twenty carbons
Data Source
AI summary
A portable gas-to-liquids (GTL) plant includes a reforming reactor and a Fischer-Tropsch (FT) reactor. The reforming reactor forms syngas from an oxidizer stream and a gaseous hydrocarbon feed. The FT reactor forms a hydrocarbon outlet stream from the syngas. The hydrocarbon outlet stream includes carbon compounds having about eight to about 20 carbons.