Refining Gas
Natural gas processing is the process of converting natural gas to a synthesis gas consisting of CO, CO2, and H2 using steam as a reactant. The synthesis gas will also contain small amounts of unreacted methane and residual steam. This process is the first step in many industrial processes including methanol synthesis, ammonia manufacture, gas-to-liquids (GTL), and hydrogen production.
NoDoC cost models for gas processing units are based on the well known technologies. Following are the breif description of technologies that have been included in NoDoC cost models and simulations.
Ammonia and methanol plants have been closing as a result of competition with foreign plants with access to inexpensive natural gas. Overseas, large “Mega Methanol” plants in the Caribbean and in Asia are being built, along with large GTL plants in the Middle East (Qatar). Since these projects are all based on SMR, there is expected to be an increase in worldwide SMR capacity this decade. Capacity increases of SMR are also expected in refineries to produce hydrogen for processing the increasingly heavy, sour crudes being brought into petroleum refineries. In the long-term, if begins the transition to a “hydrogen economy”, SMR will form the bridge providing hydrogen until advanced, non-hydrocarbon source hydrogen becomes feasible.
Several of the technologies discussed in other sections (Methanol, Ammonia and GTL) depend on production of synthesis gas from SMR. The syngas generation step is a very large portion of the total cost. Therefore, in order to not unduly bias the modular cost study with what substantially amounts to a single technology, it would be advisable not to choose more than one technology that has SMR included in it.
While technological improvements in SMR have been fairly limited, technical learnings, economies of scale, and downstream demands have promoted the development of ever-larger facilities. Considerable development has gone into mechanical issues such as tube metallurgy and schemes to attach the hot tubes to cold headers in order to prolong tube life and avoid shutdowns.
NoDoC cost models for gas processing units are based on the well known technologies. Following are the breif description of technologies that have been included in NoDoC cost models and simulations.
Ammonia and methanol plants have been closing as a result of competition with foreign plants with access to inexpensive natural gas. Overseas, large “Mega Methanol” plants in the Caribbean and in Asia are being built, along with large GTL plants in the Middle East (Qatar). Since these projects are all based on SMR, there is expected to be an increase in worldwide SMR capacity this decade. Capacity increases of SMR are also expected in refineries to produce hydrogen for processing the increasingly heavy, sour crudes being brought into petroleum refineries. In the long-term, if begins the transition to a “hydrogen economy”, SMR will form the bridge providing hydrogen until advanced, non-hydrocarbon source hydrogen becomes feasible.
Several of the technologies discussed in other sections (Methanol, Ammonia and GTL) depend on production of synthesis gas from SMR. The syngas generation step is a very large portion of the total cost. Therefore, in order to not unduly bias the modular cost study with what substantially amounts to a single technology, it would be advisable not to choose more than one technology that has SMR included in it.
While technological improvements in SMR have been fairly limited, technical learnings, economies of scale, and downstream demands have promoted the development of ever-larger facilities. Considerable development has gone into mechanical issues such as tube metallurgy and schemes to attach the hot tubes to cold headers in order to prolong tube life and avoid shutdowns.
