Apparatus and method for conducting a fischer-tropsch synthesis reaction
AssigneeGtl.F1 AG
InventorRoger Hansen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In order to avoid fouling (precipitation of solid matter on cold surfaces) in heat-exchangers down-stream of the gas outlet of a Fischer-Tropsch reactor, the reactor gas stream containing hydrocarbon products that are solid at lower temperatures is fed into a liquid wash tank. Condensation of heavy oil in the liquid wash tank is effected by feeding an evaporable light oil into the liquid wash tank. Heavy oil is recovered as a bottom product from the liquid wash tank while a gaseous product is taken out of the liquid wash tank as the top product. The light oil is obtained from the wash tank top product.
Claims23
A process for recovering condensable products contained within an outlet gas stream from a Fischer-Tropsch reactor, comprising the steps:
- conveying a Fischer-Tropsh reactor gas stream to a condensation and separation unit;
- subjecting the F-T gases to direct heat exchange in the condensation and separation unit against a stream of evaporable hydrocarbon liquid, thereby cooling the F-T gases;
- condensing higher boiling components in the F-T gases;
- separating the condensed higher boiling components from gaseous components;
- and
- removing a gaseous fraction and a condensed higher boiling fraction;
- wherein at least a portion of the evaporable hydrocarbon liquid stream is obtained from subsequent processing of the gaseous fraction obtained in the removing step.
An apparatus for recovering condensable products contained within an outlet gas stream from a Fischer-Tropsch reactor, comprising
- a Fischer-Tropsch reactor;
- a condensation and separation unit;
- a gas/liquid separator;
- a line arranged to convey a Firscher-Tropsch reactor gas stream to the condensation and separations unit;
- a condensed higher boiling fraction outlet from the condensation and separation unit;
- a gaseous fraction outlet line from the condensation and separation unit arranged to convey at least a portion of the gaseous fraction to the gas/liquid separator;
- and
- a recycle line arranged to convey evaporable hydrocarbon liquid from the gas/liquid separator to the condensation and separation unit, thereby subjecting the reactor gas stream to direct heat exchange in the condensation and separation unit against the stream of evaporable hydrocarbon liquid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.