GtL procedure

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GtL diesel
GTL process.GIF
Brief description Diesel fuel
origin

synthetic

properties
Physical state liquid
Cetane number

75-80 CZ

safety instructions
GHS labeling of hazardous substances
no classification available
H and P phrases H: see above
P: see above
As far as possible and customary, SI units are used. Unless otherwise noted, the data given apply to standard conditions .

The GtL process (Gas-to-Liquids) is a process for the production of synthetic fuels .

Process description

In the GtL process, natural gas is converted into synthesis gas by supplying oxygen and water vapor , and this is converted into hydrocarbons in a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis . The main part of the product mixture from the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis consists of long-chain, waxy normal paraffins , which first have to be converted into liquid hydrocarbons by cracking and isomerization in a special hydrocracker (and subsequent fractionation ). The cracking process produces fuel for engines.

An improved, now patented process was developed by the Institute for Energy Process Engineering and Chemical Engineering of the Technical University Bergakademie Freiberg in cooperation with the chemical plant engineering company Chemnitz with funding from the Federal Ministry of Economics . In a first step, the gas is fed to a methanol synthesis. This is where the newly developed isothermal reactor comes into play. After a separation stage, the methanol produced is processed in the gasoline synthesis.

properties

The colorless and odorless liquid obtained is completely sulfur-free and contains neither aromatic compounds nor organic nitrogen . In addition, this product has other excellent properties (low density , high cetane number ).

The exhaust gas values when using synthetic fuels are better than with conventional diesel fuels . GtL fuels do not require any modifications to the engine.

application

GtL fuel should serve as a fuel substitute or admixture. The term Synfuel was coined as a trade name .

There is currently a small GtL production (using the so-called SMDS process, see below) by Shell in Malaysia , the emissions of which are mixed with the fuel brand V-Power Diesel . Shell introduced the V-Power diesel in late June 2004. Shell V-Power should contain 5% GtL and additional additives .

The world market leader in the field of GtL technology is the South African Sasol Ltd. , who have GtL plants in South Africa and together with Chevron in Qatar .

The world's largest GTL plant currently (2015) is Pearl GTL in Ras Laffan, Qatar, with a projected capacity of 140,000 barrels / d.

A new GtL technology comes from Russia : the so-called HTR (high temperature reactor) technology - this works with at least 40% higher efficiency than Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and is supplied by SYNFUEL Technology Ltd. marketed since 2007. The worldwide patent rights were secured. Several HTR systems are currently being planned or under construction.

The chemical and physical properties are partly similar to those of the BtL fuel SunDiesel, which was produced on a test basis by Choren in Germany until its bankruptcy .

See also

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ This substance has either not yet been classified with regard to its hazardousness or a reliable and citable source has not yet been found.
  2. ↑ kraftwerkforschung.info Syngas to Fuel , accessed October 30, 2016.
  3. ↑ cac-chem.de gasoline production , accessed October 30, 2016.
  4. ↑ a b AutoBild, May 21, 2003: New Reinheitsgebot , accessed May 22, 2013.
  5. ↑ Volkswagen.de: Synfuel , accessed October 30, 2016.