Integration of a cryogenic air separator with synthesis gas production and conversion

In an apparatus for the utilization of a hydrocarbon feedstock comprising a feedstock reactor for partially oxidizing the feedstock with oxygen to form a synthesis gas comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen;

• a synthesis gas conversion reactor for subjecting the synthesis gas to a conversion process comprising an exothermic reaction;
• an air separation unit for separation of air to supply oxygen to the feedstock reactor and including a feed air compressor;
• a working fluid circuit including vaporization means for vaporizing the working fluid by indirect heat exchange with at least one of the synthesis gas and the exothermic reaction and an expander for producing work by expansion of the vaporized working fluid;
• and means coupling said expander to the feed air compressor whereby the feed air is at least partially adiabatically compressed by work generated by the expander, the improvement consisting in that the feed air compressor is an adiabatic compressor providing heated air for preheating the working fluid and the working fluid circuit includes a heat exchanger for indirect heat exchange between the adiabatically compressed feed air and the working fluid to preheat the working fluid and conduit means for conveying said preheated working fluid to said vaporization means.

In an apparatus for the utilization of natural gas comprising a feedstock reactor for partially oxidizing the natural gas with oxygen to form a synthesis gas comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen;

• a synthesis gas conversion reactor for subjecting the synthesis gas to an exothermic catalytic hydrogenation reaction;
• an air separation unit for separation of air to supply oxygen to the feedstock reactor and including a feed air compressor;
• a working fluid circuit including vaporization means producing steam by indirect heat exchange with at least one of the synthesis gas and the exothermic reaction and an expander for producing work by expansion of the steam;
• and means coupling said expander to the feed air compressor whereby the feed air is at least partially adiabatically compressed by work generated by the expander, the improvement consisting in that the feed air compressor is an adiabatic compressor providing heated air for preheating feedwater to said vaporization means and the working fluid circuit includes a heat exchanger for indirect heat exchange between the adiabatically compressed feed air and feedwater to preheat feedwater and conduit means for conveying said preheated feedwater to said vaporization means.

In an apparatus for producing paraffinic hydrocarbons from natural gas comprising a feedstock reactor for partially oxidizing the natural gas with oxygen to form a synthesis gas comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen;

• a Fischer-Tropsch reactor for converting the synthesis gas to paraffinic hydrocarbons;
• an air separation unit for separation of air to supply oxygen to the feedstock reactor and including a feed air compressor;
• a working fluid circuit including vaporization means producing steam by indirect heat exchange with at least one of the synthesis gas and Fischer-Tropsch reaction and an expander for producing work by expansion of the steam;
• and means coupling said expander to the feed air compressor whereby the feed air is at least partially adiabatically compressed by work generated by the expander, the improvement consisting in that the feed air compressor is an adiabatic compressor providing heated air for preheating feedwater to said vaporization means and the working fluid circuit includes a heat exchanger for indirect heat exchange between the adiabatically compressed feed air and feedwater to preheat feedwater and conduit means for conveying said preheated feedwater to said vaporization means.

In an apparatus for producing methanol from natural gas comprising a feedstock reactor for partially oxidizing the natural gas with oxygen to form a synthesis gas comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen;

• a catalytic hydrogenation reactor for converting the synthesis gas to methanol;
• an air separation unit for separation of air to supply oxygen to the feedstock reactor and including a feed air compressor;
• a working fluid circuit including vaporization means producing steam by indirect heat exchange with at least one of the synthesis gas and the hydrogenation reaction and an expander for producing work by expansion of the steam;
• and means coupling said expander to the feed air compressor whereby the feed air is at least partially adiabatically compressed by work generated by the expander, the improvement consisting in that the feed air compressor is an adiabatic compressor providing heated air for preheating feedwater to said vaporization means and the working fluid circuit includes a heat exchanger for indirect heat exchange between the adiabatically compressed feed air and feedwater to preheat feedwater and conduit means for conveying said preheated feedwater to said vaporization means.