Flowsheet: Fischer Tropsch (FT) Process description The Johnson Matthey/BP fixed-bed FT technology comprises a series of reaction vessels charged with a proprietary BP catalyst. Syngas derived from a variety of hydrocarbon feedstocks is suitable for our fixed-bed FT process. Johnson Matthey s DAVY technologies for reforming natural gas to syngas include auto-thermal reforming, steammethane reforming and compact reforming. The FT converters are multiple single-pass tubular exchangers containing fixed beds of proprietary catalyst loaded in CANS. The reactant gasses pass through the tubes, making extensive contact with the catalyst. Products, by-products and unreacted syngas move down through the tubes and exit at the converter s base. Following pre-heating, the syngas enters the FT converter where H2 and CO react to form paraffinic compounds of various chain lengths: The exit stream from the FT converter comprises: Heavy paraffin products (liquid) Light paraffin products (gas) Reaction water vapour Unreacted syngas Minor impurities Separation of the heavy wax paraffins from the exit stream takes place immediately downstream of the reactor. The remainder of the stream is gaseous. Cooling separates the light paraffin product and water vapour, leaving significant quantities of unconverted syngas. This stream is recycled back to the FT converter giving an overall conversion of 95%. Product separation: The heavy liquid hydrocarbons exiting the FT converters collects in wax traps and proceeds to further processing. This wax product is a solid at room temperature, with chain lengths of nc20 nc100+. The total light hydrocarbon and water by-product are separated in a decanter. The resulting liquid paraffin constitutes a majority of the hydrocarbon product, with chain lengths of nc5 nc25. Both the wax and liquid products are free from particulate contamination. The water by-product contains dissolved gases and traces of light hydrocarbons and is normally recycled back to syngas production. This reduces overall feedstock demand and minimizes the hydrocarbon load on the plant effluent treatment facility.
Flowsheet Figure 1 Figure 2
Figure 3 Figure 4
Figure 5
The Johnson Matthey advantage The Johnson Matthey/BP unique fixed bed FT technology is a robust, efficient process that delivers high product quality. No moving parts, simple process, high operational reliability Simple metallurgy, simple construction Proven and reliable hardware Unlike slurry processes, our FT converters have no moving parts. The catalyst in the process is static, so there is no need for catalyst addition or separation. Catalyst at any given point in the converter runs at constant conditions. Reliable once through design. Our FT converter design requires no exotic metallurgy and is easily fabricated. Conventional multi tubular FT converters provide a robust process. Multiple FT converter fabricators worldwide, who are familiar with manufacturing similar reactors for other JM Davy related technologies (with over 60 mtpa of existing petrochemicals capacity using this type of reactor design). Flexible feedstocks The Johnson Matthey/BP fixed bed FT process can operate with purified syngas from a variety of hydrocarbon feedstocks, whether produced from natural gas, coal, petroleum coke, oil residues or biomass. Johnson Matthey offers a range of technologies for reforming natural gas to syngas which includes: o Auto thermal reforming o Steam methane reforming o Compact reforming Excess alcohol vapour removes water vapour by product, driving the esterification equilibrium forward. Simple water balance and low waste water emissions The water produced by the FT process contains low levels of dissolved gases and traces of light hydrocarbons which require no special waste water treatment. When a Johnson Matthey steam reformer is used to produce the process syngas, the water can be recycled to the reformer to recover the hydrocarbons back into the process. This reduces overall feedstock demand and minimizes the hydrocarbon load on the plant effluent treatment facility.
The information contained within this document was previously published on a former DAVY TM website. Information contained in this publication or as otherwise supplied to Users is believed to be accurate and correct at time of going to press, and is given in good faith, but it is for the User to satisfy itself of the suitability of the Product for its own particular purpose. Johnson Matthey plc (JM) gives no warranty as the fitness of the Product for any particular purpose and any implied warranty or condition (statutory or otherwise) is excluded except to the extent that exclusion is prevented by law. JM accepts no liability for loss or damage (other than that arising from death or personal injury caused by JM s negligence or by a defective Product, if proved), resulting from reliance on this information. Freedom under Patent, Copyright and Designs cannot be assumed. Johnson Matthey Davy Technologies Limited, Registered Office 5th Floor 25 Farringdon Street London EC4A 4AB Registered in England No. 635311 Offices worldwide. For contact details please visit our website. DAVY is a trademark of the Johnson Matthey group of companies. www.jmprotech.com 1604JM/0317/0/PT/web 2017 Johnson Matthey Group