Showing papers on "Substitute natural gas published in 2008"

Method and apparatus to facilitate substitute natural gas production

Abstract: A method of producing substitute natural gas (SNG) includes providing at least one steam turbine engine. The method also includes providing a gasification system that includes at least one gas shift reactor configured to receive a boiler feedwater stream and a synthesis gas (syngas) stream. The at least one gas shift reactor is further configured to produce a high pressure steam stream. The method further includes producing a steam stream within the at least one gas shift reactor and channeling at least a portion of the steam stream to the at least one steam turbine engine.

Comparative Analysis of the Production Costs and Life-Cycle GHG Emissions of FT Liquid Fuels from Coal and Natural Gas

Abstract: Liquid transportation fuels derived from coal and natural gas could help the United States reduce its dependence on petroleum. The fuels could be produced domestically or imported from fossil fuel-rich countries. The goal of this paper is to determine the life-cycle GHG emissions of coal- and natural gas-based Fischer−Tropsch (FT) liquids, as well as to compare production costs. The results show that the use of coal- or natural gas-based FT liquids will likely lead to significant increases in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to petroleum-based fuels. In a best-case scenario, coal- or natural gas-based FT-liquids have emissions only comparable to petroleum-based fuels. In addition, the economic advantages of gas-to-liquid (GTL) fuels are not obvious: there is a narrow range of petroleum and natural gas prices at which GTL fuels would be competitive with petroleum-based fuels. CTL fuels are generally cheaper than petroleum-based fuels. However, recent reports suggest there is uncertainty about the av...

System comprising the gasification of fossil fuels to process unconventional oil sources

Abstract: A facility comprising integrated systems for the extraction, and optionally upgrading and/or refinement, of unconventional oil sources, using fossil fuels as a primary source of energy. In particular, this facility provides a means to gasify one or more fossil fuels in an efficient manner, converting it into intermediate products such as heat, steam and electricity, which are then used by the system to obtain useful fuel products from unconventional oil sources such as tar sands and oil shale. The design of the components of this facility is optimized such that the overall costs are competitive with an equivalent unconventional oil source processing facility that uses natural gas as a source of processing energy. The facility can be used on its own, may use supplemental natural gas energy sources, or may be used in conjunction with an existing facility that uses natural gas as an energy source in order to improve the overall cost effectiveness of the processing and/or reduce the requirement for other energy sources, such as natural gas.

Plasma gasification system

Abstract: A system is disclosed for use in producing syngas for use in a variety of commercial applications, including commercial energy generation applications. A plasma torch and cupola arrangement are used to gasify feed stock such as coal, petcoke, and/or biomass, to produce syngas and liquid waste. The syngas is directed to a cleanup train, wherein detrimental components are mechanically or chemically filtered out. The cleaned syngas is then fed into a syngas burner and used to produce heat for electricity generation for the production of electricity or to another energy producing system including synthetic natural gas, ethanol, or liquid fuel oil. In some embodiments, the syngas is fed directly to a gas turbine. The liquid waste is cooled to generate in inert solid which may then be crushed and used in a variety of construction or other applications. The disclosed system may find use in new construction as well as retrofit applications.

Process for the generation of a synthesis gas

Abstract: A process for the generation of a synthesis gas is described comprising the steps of: (a) forming a raw synthesis gas comprising hydrogen and carbon oxides by (i) gasification of a carbonaceous feedstock at elevated temperature and pressure, and (ii) cooling and washing the resulting gas stream with water, (b) dividing the raw synthesis gas into first and second streams, (c) subjecting the first stream of raw synthesis gas, in the presence of steam, to the water gas shift reaction to form a shifted gas mixture, (d) cooling the second raw synthesis gas stream and shifted gas mixture to below the dew point to condense water and separating the resulting condensates therefrom to form a dry raw synthesis gas mixture, and a dry shifted gas mixture respectively, (e) feeding the dry raw synthesis gas mixture and a dry shifted gas mixture to a gas- washing unit operating by means of counter-current solvent flow, such that the solvent flowing through said unit contacts first with the dry raw gas mixture and then the dry shifted gas mixture, and (f) collecting from said gas-washing unit a synthesis gas having a stoichiometry ratio, R = (H2-CO2)/(CO+CO2), in the range 1.4 to 3.3. The synthesis gas may be used for methanol production, for the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis of liquid hydrocarbons or for the production of synthetic natural gas.

Process and Plant for Substitute Natural Gas

Abstract: A methanation section for producing substitute natural gas (SNG) by reacting a fresh syngas, the methanation section comprising adiabatic reactors connected in series, with heat removal and reacted gas-recirculation, wherein the fresh syngas is fed in parallel to said adiabatic reactors. In a preferred embodiment the reacted gas is recirculated to the first reactor and further dilution of the fresh gas at the inlet of the first and second reactor is achieved by steam addition.

Experimental results from the allothermal biomass gasifier milena

Abstract: ECN is developing an indirectly heated (allothermal) biomass gasification process (Milena), optimized for the production of Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG). The methane rich gas from the gasifier is cleaned and the carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the gas are converted into methane by a catalyst. After removal of carbon dioxide and water pure methane is available to inject into the natural gas grid. Some operational parameters, like gasifier temperature and bed material, have influence on the gas composition and therefore on the overall efficiency to SNG. Experiments in a 30 kWth Milena gasifier were done to determine the optimal operating conditions for SNG production. The results of these tests are presented in this paper.

Integration aspects for synthetic natural gas production from biomass based on a novel indirect gasification concept

Abstract: An innovative indirectly heated biomass gasification unit has been recently built at Chalmers University of Technology as an integrated extension of a standard circulating fluidised bed (CFB) boiler for heat and power production. The gasification medium can be varied between steam, oxygen, combustion flue gases or recirculated syngas. In this paper a process for production of synthetic natural gas (SNG) based on this biomass gasification technique is proposed and investigated with emphasis on evaluation of possible heat integration options. Special attention is given to possible options for cogeneration of heat and power. The increase in electricity production from the power cycle is achieved by two means: combusting the non-reacted char from gasification in the boiler and extracting high temperature excess heat from the syngas to SNG conversion steps. It is shown that the amine-based CO2 separation stage is a large heat sink. The reduction of the steam demand for the CO2 absorbent regeneration stripper is of crucial importance to have a maximum of high temperature excess heat available from the gasification process to be used in the steam power cycle. The cold gas efficiency for SNG production comparing biomass input to SNG output is about 60 % for the proposed process. This performance indicator however does not consider the electricity production increase. The balance between SNG yield and increased electricity production is mainly dependant on the gasification efficiency since the amount of char from gasification that is used in the boiler directly influences the yield of synthetic natural gas.

Gas-steam combined cycle system and technique based on coal gasification and methanation

Abstract: A combined cycle system based on coal gasification and methanation gas-steam and a technique thereof, wherein, the method comprises the following steps: oxygen produced by an air separation unit and coal powder or water-coal-slurry are sent into coal gasification equipment, the produced crude gasification gas is sent to a carbon monoxide sulfur-tolerant shift reactor to adjust the ratio of hydrogen and carbon after the sensible heat recollecting, and is then sent into sulfur-tolerant methanation reactor to produce methane and carbon dioxide, then the reaction product is sent into desulfurization and decarbonization equipment so that element sulfur can be recovered and carbon dioxide can be separated so as to obtain substitute natural gas with high content of methane, part of which is sent to the gas-steam combined cycle equipment while the other part is sent to a urban gas system. The enriched CO2 density of the system can reach 50 to 60 percent, technical probability is provided for reasonably realizing low-energy-consumption reduced exhaust of CO2, no change needs to be done with gas turbines, each chemical unit operates according to established rated condition and needs not to change load owing to power conditioning so as to improve the economy of the operation of power plants; compared with the prior art, the energy utilization efficiency of the whole system is improved so as to realize the efficient clean utilization of coal.

Fischer-Tropsch Fuels from Coal, Natural Gas, and Biomass: Background and Policy

Abstract: This report provides background information and policy analysis regarding the ways to develop that directly and indirectly convert coal into liquid fuel.

Class natural gas combination circulation

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for synthesizing substance of energy source such as natural gas, coal and the like to be gas-steam combined circle fuel through utilizing substance of energy source such as coal and the like. The method comprises firstly, utilizing substance of energy source such as coal and the like for synthesizing a natural gas fuel, the synthesizing process comprises producing hydrogen through utilizing substance of energy source such as coal and the like, oxygen and water vapor gasification or producing hydrogen through utilizing partial synthetic natural gas synthetic natural gas to reform, synthesizing natural gas through gasifying hydrogen and coal gas, or synthesizing natural gas through leading coal gas to be gasified to be coal gas, and then through reversing, decarbonising and methyl hydride. And then natural gas is utilized to be the gas-steam combined circle fuel to achieve that gas-steam combined circle utilizes substance of energy source such as coal and the like to be clean coal technology with fuel purpose, the clean coal technology of the technical proposal is NGLCC(such as the indication of accompanying diagram one) ratio integral gasification combined cycle (IGCC), pressure boost pressure boost combined cycle (PFBC-CC-one generation, second generation) has the characters of little investment, high efficiency, environment friendly and the like.

Production of Substitute Natural Gas by Biomass Hydrogasification

Abstract: Hydrogen, generated from renewable sources, is likely to play a major role in the future energy supply. The storage and transport of hydrogen can take place in its free form (H2), or chemically bound, e.g. as methane. However, the storage and transport of hydrogen in its free form are more complex, and probably would require more energy than the storage and transport of hydrogen in chemical form. An additional important advantage of the indirect use of hydrogen as energy carrier is, that in the future renewable energy supply, parts of the existing large-scale energy infrastructure could still be used. Production of Substitute Natural Gas (SNG) by biomass hydrogasification has been assessed as a process for chemical storage of hydrogen. Thermodynamic analysis has shown the feasibility of this process. The product gas of the process has a Wobbe-index, a mole percentage methane, and a calorific value quite comparable to the quality of the Dutch natural gas. With a hydrogen content below 10 mol%, the produced SNG can be transported through the existing gas net without any additional adjustment. The integrated system has an energetic efficiency of 81% (LHV). In the long term, the required hydrogen for this process can be produced by water electrolysis, with electricity from renewable sources. In the short term, hydrogen may be obtained from hydrogen-rich gases available as by-product from industrial processes. Results of thermodynamic analysis of the process and experimental work, application potentials of the process in the Netherlands, and plans for future development are presented.

Clean Combustion of Liquid Biofuels in Gas Turbines for Renewable Power Generation

Abstract: A Lean, Premixed, Prevaporized (LPP) combustion technology has been developed that converts liquid biofuels, such as biodiesel and ethanol, into a synthetic natural gas. This LPP gas can then be burned with low emissions in virtually any combustion device in place of natural gas, providing users substantial fuel flexibility. A Dry Low Emissions (DLE) gas turbine utilizing LPP combustion technology to burn biofuels creates a low emissions power plant with no net greenhouse gas emissions. This technology provides a clean and reliable form of renewable energy using liquid biofuels that can be a primary source for power generation or be a back-up source for inconsistent renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. The technology allows for the clean use of biofuels in combustion devices without the use of post-combustion pollution control equipment and can easily be incorporated into both new and existing gas turbine power plants. No changes are required to the DLE gas turbine combustor hardware.

Method and device for producing synthetic natural gas from organic waste water

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing natural gas from organic wastewater, which comprises the following steps: 1 making biogas by anaerobic treating with organic wastewater; 2 pressurizing the gas to 001-003MPa after collecting, cooling and dehydration; 3 removing impurities like sulfide and carbon dioxide from the compressed gas Synthetic natural gas with a methane concentration of over ninety percent can be obtained by the technology which can further produce qualified CNG and LNG The invention plays an important role in fully utilizing resources and increasing economic benefits by reducing pollution to the environment and green house gas emission

A method of converting natural gas into fuels

Abstract: The method is applicable to catalytic conversion of natural gas for production of synthetic fuels and other chemical products. It includes a phase of converting natural gas into a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen (synthesis gas) and a phase of catalytic conversion of synthesis gas into motor fuels. First phase takes place at 800 - 900 °C and 0.1 - 1 MPa in the presence of sorbent-catalyst, preliminarily saturated with oxygen as a result of its treatment with oxygen-containing gas. The sorbent-catalyst is based on aluminium oxides and mixed oxides, including oxides of nickel, cerium, zirconium and iron, with the following composition in mass percentage: mixed oxide - no more than 20 mass %; aluminium oxide - remaining part. The sorbent-catalyst is in granules form with surface-to-weight ratio 100 - 200 m2/g. Regeneration of the sorbent-catalyst is performed at 500 - 600 °C in a gas flow containing 1 - 5 volume % of oxygen, up to its saturation with oxygen.

Hydrogen/oxygen blend substitute fuel

Abstract: A hydrogen/oxygen gas blended substitute fuel is provided to save energy and prevent global warming phenomenon by reducing harmful air pollutants such as NOx, soot and smoke, CO, HC, etc. and increasing the content of oxygen contained in a combustion fuel at the same time. A hydrogen/oxygen gas blended substitute fuel comprises 10 to 95% by volume of LNG(Liquefied Natural Gas), LPG(Liquefied Petroleum Gas), SNG(Substitute Natural Gas), coalified gas, or fossil fuel, and 5 to 90% by volume of a hydrogen/oxygen gas mixture in which hydrogen gas and oxygen gas generated by electrolyzing water are mixed at a ratio of 2:1. The substitute fuel is used in city gas, industrial gas, and engines.

Technology for the production of synthetic liquid fuel based on the conversion of solid fossil fuels and natural gas

Abstract: Technology is proposed for the production of synthetic diesel and jet fuels based on the conversion of solid fossil fuels and natural gas at small-scale low-pressure plants. Based on thermodynamic analysis data and the results of the development of highly active catalysts, which are selective for diesel and jet fractions and afford maximum yields of target products in single-run mode, the possibility of performing the process in a small number of stages is substantiated.

Thermo-economic optimisation of the integration of electrolysis in SNG production from wood

Abstract: Converting wood to grid quality methane allows to distribute a CO 2 free, renewable energy resource in a conventional energy distribution system and use it in transportation applications. Applying a multi-objective optimisation algorithm to a previously developed thermo-economic process model for the thermochemical production of synthetic natural gas from wood, the present paper assesses the prospect of integrating an electrolyser in conversion systems based on directly and indirectly heated gasification. Due to an inherent lack of hydrogen for complete conversion of wood into methane and the possibility for rational use of oxygen, it is shown that electrolysis is an efficient and economically interesting option for increasing the gas output of the process while storing electricity and producing fuel that mitigates CO2 emissions.

Determination of the Effect of Coal/Biomass-Derived Syngas Contaminants on the Performance of Fischer-Tropsch and Water-Gas-Shift Catalysts

Abstract: Today, nearly all liquid fuels and commodity chemicals are produced from non-renewable resources such as crude oil and natural gas. Because of increasing scrutiny of carbon dioxide (CO{sub 2}) emissions produced using traditional fossil-fuel resources, the utilization of alternative feedstocks for the production of power, hydrogen, value-added chemicals, and high-quality hydrocarbon fuels such as diesel and substitute natural gas (SNG) is critical to meeting the rapidly growing energy needs of modern society. Coal and biomass are particularly attractive as alternative feedstocks because of the abundant reserves of these resources worldwide. The strategy of co-gasification of coal/biomass (CB) mixtures to produce syngas for synthesis of Fischer-Tropsch (FT) fuels offers distinct advantages over gasification of either coal or biomass alone. Co-feeding coal with biomass offers the opportunity to exploit economies of scale that are difficult to achieve in biomass gasification, while the addition of biomass to the coal gasifier feed leverages proven coal gasification technology and allows CO{sub 2} credit benefits. Syngas generated from CB mixtures will have a unique contaminant composition because coal and biomass possess different concentrations and types of contaminants, and the final syngas composition is also strongly influenced by the gasification technology used. Syngas cleanup for gasification of CB more » mixtures will need to address this unique contaminant composition to support downstream processing and equipment. To investigate the impact of CB gasification on the production of transportation fuels by FT synthesis, RTI International conducted thermodynamic studies to identify trace contaminants that will react with water-gas-shift and FT catalysts and built several automated microreactor systems to investigate the effect of single components and the synergistic effects of multiple contaminants on water-gas-shift and FT catalyst performance. The contaminants investigated were sodium chloride (NaCl), potassium chloride (KCl), hydrogen sulfide (H{sub 2}S), carbonyl sulfide (COS), ammonia (NH{sub 3}), and combinations thereof. This report details the thermodynamic studies and the individual and multi-contaminant results from this testing program. « less